AOSword
I was very interested in your post related to Ralph H Kilby.
In his book The Canadian Gunsmiths, 1608-1900 the late Prof; S.James Gooding ,The author, lists Ralph H. Kilby as a Gunsmith and Manufacturers agent, 346 St Paul Street Montreal P.Q.1871-1875.
Records[official Catalogue] show that Kilby exhibited the Evans breech loading rifle at the International exhibition held in Philadelphia in 1876. It is very unlikely that Kilby was the manufacturer.
It is also recorded that Kilby was one of the first Canadian agents for Smith and Wesson Revolvers.
There is no mention of Kilby using the name, R.Wakefield on firearms in Gooding's book.
Some years ago I owned a rook and rabbit rifle bearing the Wakefield name. Prior to your post I had always thought that the gun was a Birmingham import bearing the name of a Birmingham maker. We live and learn, thanks for your post.
[Retd; member of the Canadian association of antique arms historians.]
