Stanton, There is no real need for "proof of advertisement" in most of the ads used for historical research. I'll use as one example this ad from Webster's Travel Guide for January 1882. Here's what can be learned from it:

-- The numbering on his two workshops on Oxford Street changed from 502 to 16 and from 315 to 277. (Determined from other ads to have happened first week of November 1881).
-- His sales store in Paris was still open.
-- His private shooting range was still active - the address was obtained from previous ads.
-- He was offering Hurlingham weight pigeon guns - this helps confirm serial numbers because the Hurlingham weights changed several times from year to year. This year it was 8 lbs - a Cyril Adams pigeon gun dated to Dec 1881 has this weight. The following year it was reduced to 7lbs 8oz and there is an existing Cyrial Adams pigeon gun at this weight.
-- For the first time he was offering guns sold "off the rack." This explained the sudden increase in the number of guns serial numbered and also probably his using Birmingham A&D box lock actions.
-- For the first time he was advertising Whitworth steel tubes - used on his pigeon guns when compared to extant guns. 1st extent Reilly with Whitworth tubes is from December 1881.
-- And he was sole UK agent for American Sharps rifles.

[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]

This information when matched up with a database of extant guns with addresses on their ribs, patent stamps, proof marks, weights and barrel types, etc. can help with dating them.

Last edited by Argo44; 05/31/26 06:29 PM.
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