In a recent post,Pete M;advised that W.&C.Scott were awarded first prize at the subject exhibition.This exhibition was a magnificent afair;It ran from May 10 1876 to November 10 1876. During this time attendance totaled 9.9 million or 46,000 visitors per day! The exhibition covered every aspect of commerce and trade.
On the gunmaking side there were 18 gunmakers exhibiting in the British pavilion they were:
E.M.Reilly&Co; London.
William Wellington Greener,Birmingham.
John Rigby &Co;Dublin.
Alexander Henry,Edinburgh.
James Dalziel Dougal,Glasgow.
Charles Lancaster, London.
W.&C.Scott & Son, Birmingham.
J&G.H. Needham,London.
James Purdey,London.
Alfred Lancaster,London.
William Soper,Reading.
J.Lang &Son, London.
P.Webley&Son ,Birmingham.
Robert D Marrison, Norwich.
E.C. Green,Cheltenham.
J&W Tolley, Birmingham.
Williams &Powell, Liverpool.
Randolph Clay London.
You will recognise many of the names in this list, No mean feat for W.&C Scott to be awarded first prize against the above competition!
My interest in this exhibition stems from aquistion of a very fine 10G double,ball and shot gun made by J.& W.Tolley.
Pionner Works,St; Mary,s Row, Birmingham. There is little doubt that this exhibition quality gun formed part of their display at Philadelphia.The engraving on the gun is unique in that it features a victorian artists impressions of western U.S.Frontier life.
On the underside of the action there is a scene showing a settler in hand to hand combat with a North American Indian.
On the left hand lock there is a scene showing a mounted settler attempting to lasso wild horses.
On the right hand lock there is an mounted North American Indian, in persuit of Elk.
The Steel butt plate is elaborately engraved and includes the makers trade mark.
The gun features the Henry Jones under lever,retractable firing pins,but the locks are also rebounding!This to me indicates some thought was given to the risk of firing pins freezing up in the North American winter.The stock is of Juglans Regia,English walnut. The Trigger guard is formed to simulate a pistol grip as seen on many German and some English double rifles.
I have speculated many times as to whether or not other guns from this exhibition were sold to residents? Many I am sure went home with their makers and were exhibited at other locations.Dose any one suuspect that they may have a gun from this exhibition?
More than 40 American makers also paricipated in this exhibition. It occurs to me that there is a good story to be told regarding the guns in this exhibition. Perhaps one of of our current authors will take up the challenge and we shall see the results in the D.G.J.?
