I suspect Kirkwood (and Tonks, etc.) during the pre-1900 period imported complete high-end single-shot rifles from Great Britain and damascus barreled shotguns from GB and continental Europe for re-sale (to their well-heeled clientele), and also imported actions and/or barreled actions for local stocking, enhancement, upgrading, or finishing. The USofA had a protective tariff at that time, and lower end completed firearms were most likely prohibitively expensive and hard to move. I'm fairly certain that in the case of damascus barreled firearms, all the barrels were imported, due to lack of American manufacature of damascus barrels in commercial quantities. I also believe Kirkwood (et al) commissioned or took in "on trade" locally manufactured American made firearms of suitable quality for their respective company's reputation, as these smaller companies would not have missed any opportunity to make a nickel and increase "cash flow".
IIRC Dr. Bill intimated much of the above during his two "Show & Tell" educational exhibitions 2006&2007 or 2007&2008 I spectated standing on Cletus Hall Road outside of Sanford/Southern SxS Classic. He produced item after item from the bed of his vehicle parked on the side of the road for touchy, feeley, drooley - BREATHTAKING Americana that he should (IMHO) be writing about, if he could find the time in his busy life.
