doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com E.M. Reilly; History; Chronology; Serial Numbers

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7021 - Now earliest SN in the J.C. "7000" series, early 1846

Holt's has this small Reilly percussion gun for sale SN 7021 advertised as a "boy's percussion 20 bore." LOP looks to be about 12".....if you ever wanted your son to get into percussion guns, this would be perfect. Whatever, it is now the earliest SN in the J.C. Reilly "7000 " series which he started in about 1846 and which continued until his retirement in 1857. 7023 was the pervious earliest in this series.

https://auctions.holtsauctioneers.c...+++524+&refno=++168575&saletype=

RREILLY, LONDON
A 20-BORE PERCUSSION SINGLE-BARRELLED SPORTING-GUN FOR A BOY, serial no. 7021,
for between 1835-47, with round twist 27in. barrel engraved with a starburst at breech and marked 'LONDON', long, engraved top-tang, borderline and scroll engraved back-action lock signed 'REILLY', engraved dolphin-headed hammer, walnut half-stock chequered at the wrist, engraved iron furniture and brass tipped ebony ramrod, 41 1/2in. overall, weight approx. 4 1/2lbs

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Holt's Reilly historical descriptions

As mentioned above Holt's has 3 Reilly long-guns all percussion in their upcoming auction. Holt's has the worst Reilly historical descriptions of any auction house. I've sent them the history - they won't read it. To try to rectify this situation I've sent the following snarky letter; Maybe it will get results:

Sirs,

-- re the 1" percussion Reilly with NSN in the upcoming auction, it cannot be "circa 1855." The company did not begin using "E.M. Reilly & Co." until October 1859.

-- re the Reilly percussion gun SN 5580, the history is egregiously and embarrassingly wrong.

Sir: Your Reilly historical descriptions are consistently erroneous. I have previously forwarded to you a 30 page New History of Reilly a well as a chart for dating Reilly's by serial numbers compiled from a database of some 500 extant Reillys. Apparently both have gone unread.

I am sending you below a short historical outline so that at least such fundamental errors don't happen in the future. (This is not a criticism; it's an effort at insuring accuracy in advertising).

And if you would like, I can resend you the complete history now almost in book-length. Other auction houses are now using it. It was published by Diggory Hadoke in 2019 in attenuated form and will be published next year.

Gene Williams
McLean, Virginia

============================ Short ========================

Joseph Charles Reilly, b1786, Ireland, moved to London to study law c1808. In 1814 he opened a jewelry shop at 12 Middle Row, Holborn Bars, next to the Inns of the Court where his clientele included barristers and country gentlemen. He began making guns circa1828 and by 1831 identified himself exclusively as “gun maker.”

From the beginning he employed a consistent business model; Make a quality product, sell it for a moderate price; deliver it rapidly; and make what would sell. With this model he undercut better known gun makers. He only serial numbered those guns he made. His barrels were invariably proof-marked in London, the shotguns had straight English stocks while the rifles either a pistol grip or a trigger scroll extension and the stocks for the most part used highly figured French walnut. After 1837 Reilly only serial numbered long-guns though he marketed pistols.

-- In 1835 Reilly moved to 316 High Holborn where in 1840 his 23 year old son Edward Michael joined him as a partner in the company.

--In March 1847 they moved to 502 New Oxford Street where the company remained for 50 years. The gun ribs were for the most part labeled “Reilly.” The company advertised as “Reilly, Gun Maker.”

E.M Reilly was one of the first UK gun makers to become involved in making breech-loading pin-fires. Reilly’s first pin-fires appeared in mid-1856. One of his guns, SN 10054 from late summer 1856 may be the oldest dateable extant UK-made center-break pin-fire.

-- In September 1857 JC Reilly retired in favor of EM.

-- In August 1858 a new branch was opened at 315 Oxford Street called “Reilly’s Armoury House” or “The Manufactory.” The company may have used the name “Reilly & Co.” for a short time from Aug 1858 to Oct 1859. At that time the company name changed definitively to E.M. Reilly & Co., a name which lasted on gun ribs and on trade labels and advertisements until 1918 and beyond to WWII.

-- Reilly won gold medals at the Paris Universelle exhibition in 1867, which led him to become “Gunmaker to Napoleon III” and open a branch in Paris at 2 rue Scribe in February 1868. The branch remained opened until summer 1885.

By 1880 Reilly was making twice as many bespoke hand-made guns as Purdey and Holland & Holland combined and his guns dominated UK pigeon shooting contests for 20 years.

-- In November 1881 "502" was renumbered "16"; "315" became "277."

-- In August 1885 rue Scribe was closed and in 1890 EM Reilly died.

-- In May 1897 16 New Oxford street was closed.

-- In February 1903 the company moved from 277 to 295 Oxford street where they remained until bankruptcy in June 1912. A small gun shop E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Maker, located at 13 High Street, Marylebone run by EM Reilly’s son, continued in business until 1918.

-- In August 1922 a sporting goods dealer Charles Riggs bought the name “E.M Reilly & Co., London” and used it for many years on his Birmingham-made guns; he sold over 25,000 of these “non-Reilly’s.” Their serial umbers are 6 digits and begin around 128,000.

The Reilly’s sold all types of guns in various qualities using all types of actions. Reilly's serial numbered about 33,000 guns from circa 1825 to 1912, all built by them. The guns that they made had an artistic elegance and balance, which is unmistakable. They were one of the first to use highly figured French walnut for their stocks and their engraving, for the most part floral scroll work, was consistently classy. Reilly’s best guns were as good as those produced anywhere in England at the time.

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Changing the date for the introduction of E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Makers
Changing the date for the introduction of E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Manufacturers

Going back through the history to make sure it is valid, I took a look at newspaper ads from the time J.C. retired in Sep 1857 to 1861 when the name and label "E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Manufacturers" was firmly established. I've had to make changes.
-- Up to August 1858, possibly Jan 1859 - "Reilly, Gun Maker."
-- Aug 1858 (possibly Jan 1859)-Mar 1859 - "Reilly & Co., Gun Maker" The company may have used this name after Aug 1858. However, if first appears in papers in January 1858.
-- March 1859 - "E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Makers" - This name used for the first time - believe this name superseded "Reilly & Co." though ads appeared simultaneously.
-- August 1860 - "E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Manufacturer" (not plural) - First use in newspaper ads. This previously was the date adopted for when the new label was created. However, now believe that's wrong.
-- April 1861 - "E.M. Reilly & Co, Gun Manufacturers" (plural) - first introduction in newspaper ads that is now the date for the label change. This conclusion is supported somewhat by analyzing large format ads.

Here is the analysis to support the argument - It's pedantic be warned but trying to be as accurate as possible - when guns are being dated, months count:
--------------- 1857--------------------------------------------------------
Sep 1857 - J.C. Reilly retired; Company name in advertisement remains “Reilly, Gun Maker, 502 New Oxford Street”:
. . .02 Sep 1857 London Daily News - Note Gun Maker singular



The Label remained that adopted after the 1855 Paris Universelle with the 1851 & 1855 medals and "Fusils a Bascule"


There was one "outlier newspaper advertisement" "E.M. Reilly, Manufacturer, 502 New Oxford Street" from December 1857 - SN 10655 (March 1858) has this address on its rib.


--------------- 1858--------------------------------------------------------
Up to Aug 1858 the company remained: “Reilly, Gun Maker, 502 New Oxford Street” - Gun Maker singular


Large format Ads remained the same:
1858 Grace's Guide ad


Aug 1858, 315 Oxford Street opens: “Reilly, 502 New Oxford Street and the shooting galleries No. 315“ - Here are the "before and after" ads in "The Field":
. . .Top: 31 Jul 1858 “The Field”
. . .Bottom: 8 Aug 1858 “The Field”


315 Oxford Street adopted a new label:


Both addresses were used in newspaper ads until Dec 1858:


In November & December1858 there was an outlier Ad: “Reilly, Manufacturer, 502, New Oxford Street.” It appeared in three newspapers but apparently had no effect on the name of the company:


======================== To Be Continued======================

Great ads from the late 1850s, Gene. Very interesting that pairs of guns were being offered as early as 1858.

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Continuation: May 1859 - New start date for "E.M. Reilly & Co." and two labels

---------------1859--------------------------------------------------------

Early 1859: Reilly & Co., Gun Makers - plural; this address was advertised from January 1859 to October 1859 in newspapers with most coming in the first three months of 1859. No trade label exists for this name. No such advertisement can be found in 1858 newspapers, however, I speculate it might have been used as the company name as early as August 1858 when 315 was opened. This name may have been formally registered with London City in late 1858 for a time. (Note: Only one gun with this name on the barrel exists per current information).

. . . . .05 Mar 1859, "Illustrated London News"


March 1859: E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Makers - plural. The first advertisement for this address was in the Field early March 1858, synonymous with one for "Reilly & Co." Subsequent advertisements began in use in general in May 1859. So arbitrairially I'll list the formal date for the advent of this Company name to May 1859.
. . . .**Note: Reilly built a hundred "spec guns" as of March 1859 anticipating demand that fall, as they have done for 20 years. This is why Reilly could deliver a gun in a few weeks while others took months.

. . . . .05 Mar 1859, "The Field"


. . . . .1859[/color], "Grace’s"


May 1859 - The label for 502 New Oxford Street probably changed at this time:


315 Oxford Street continued to use all sorts of names in advertisements: "Reilly Armoury House," "Reilly’s Armoury House"; " Reillys, the Armoury House"; "Reilly’s London Armoury House." However, these were never "official" company names.

. . . . .31 December 1859, "Volunteer Services Gazette"


May 1859 - With the advent of the new company name the trade label for 315 probably changed:

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Continuation Advert analysis: 1860 - Gun Manufacturer does not = the New Company name

---------------1860--------------------------------------------------------

1860 - E.M Reilly & Co., Gun Makers (plural): 502 continued to use "Gun Makers." 315 continued to have separate advertisements, sometimes in the same newspaper at the same time; but the company remained "E.M. Reilly, Gun Makers" for both:

. . . . .03 Mar 1860, Volunteer Services Gazette


. . . . .1860 - Bradshaw’s


04 August1860: E.M Reilly & Co., Gun Manufacturer (singular) appears in newspaper advertisements. However, this description can't be found in large format ads. Also note the "Manufacturer" - single case. Formerly Aug 1860 was designated as the changeover to "E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Manufacturers" (plural).
. . . .04 August 1860, Sporting Life


In case there is any doubt about 502 and 315 being the same company here is a variant of the "Armoury House" advertisements (with "manufacturer"):
15 Dec 1860, Volunteer Services Gazette

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Continuation Advert Analysis 1861 - April 1861 - New Date for "E.M Reilly & Co., Gun Manufacturers" and Definitive Reilly Label

--------------1861--------------------------------------------------------

Early 1861 - "E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Makers" continues in use. Newspaper ads sometimes do not identify "Gun Makers," "Gun Manufacturer" etc.
. . . . .04 March 1861, The Sporting Magazine


. . . . .30 Mar 1861, Volunteer Services Gazette (Note Reilly publicly stating he made the champion target gun)


April 1861: "E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Manufacturers" (plural) - 1st use in newspaper ads; It begins appearing in Guide Books and other large format ads.

. . . . .14 Apr 1861, Bell’s Life. **Note: "Gentlemen can superintend the progress of their orders."


. . . . .May 1861, Popular Overland Guide


April 1861: Conclusion is that the definitive 1860's Reilly label appeared about April 1861.



Finish pedantic analysis: But since I said in the introduction that I could footnote each paragraph, indeed each sentence of the New History, I'd better be able to back it up. And in trying to date extant guns, a month is important.

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Reilly and Catholicism

In the introduction to the new history I speculate that Reilly being an Irish Catholic may have played against him getting a military contract with Arsenal or being allowed to have a "Royal Warrant" as gun maker to the royal family (this in spite of selling many guns to the Prince of Wales and other princes to give as gifts abroad).

But were the Reilly's, JC and EM religious? From these two blurbs in the London papers it appears they were - a pound was a lot of money back then:

. . .22 Nov 1844, Morning Chronicle:


. . .04 Dec 1847, The Tablet:


This paragraph has been added to the New History under "Attempts to Curry Favor with the British Royal Family":

Note: The Reilly’s were Irish Catholic. E.M. at least appears to have been involved with the church and to have campaigned against religious discrimination. Whether this influenced his ability to obtain a “Royal Warrant” or even to win a contract with Arsenal is problematic.

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15774 (1869)

Reilly SxS shotgun, 12 bore, center-fire for sale at upcoming Rhode Island Auction. The interesting thing about this gun is the center-fire system. It first appeared in a Reilly advertisement in 1866 and was featured in his display at the 1867 Paris Universelle (see below):

https://www.rockislandauction.com/d...-barrel-rotary-underlever-hammer-shotgun
Description:
This early center fire hammergun was manufactured c. 1869. With browned Damascus barrels with concave rib signed “E.M. REILLY & CO. NEW OXFORD STREET.LONDON.” and engraved with a spray of scrollwork at the breech end. Casehardened action with serpentine fences and underlever with looped finial, and casehardened non-rebounding bar sidelocks each signed “E.M. REILLY & CO.” and with hare’s ear hammer. With fine classic English border and scroll engraving throughout. Figured walnut stock with checkered grip and forearm and checkered dark horn buttplate. London black powder proof marks. 14 1/2" LOP. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection





I've always wondered why it toOK shotgun makers until about 1866 to start to use center-fire; looks like rifles had been using versions of C-F since the Prince patent bolt action. Ive a feeling it had to do with primers. In 1866 there were two patents for shotgun primers still used to today. Paradoxically the American patent by Berdon is now used in Europe while the UK patent by Boxer is used in the US.

1866, March - Center-fire primer cap shotgun shell design by American Berdan
1866, Oct 13 - Center-fire primer cap shotgun shell design by Edward Mounier Boxer.

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1859 Reilly Berringer Style pin-fire

In 1859 Reilly had four pin-fires at the July 1859 “The Field” muzzle-loader vs Breech-Loader trials. At least two were Lefaucheaux center-break guns using the Lefaucheaux style under-forend lever, probably a short lever. However speculate that at least one was an around-the- trigger-guard lever “Beringer Style.” Here is an 1860 book which has a sketch of such a Reilly. Sketch was probably made in 1859.
https://books.google.com/books?id=gVIBAA...lly&f=false


Compare it to the gun below Reilly pin-fire shotgun (No SN mentioned in the ad). It’s an 1859-60 Beringer style Lefaucheaux center-break gun, and obviously a classy one made in 315 Oxford Street. It is so similar to the sketch that it could be the actual gun in the sketch (except the gun in the sketch is strange - two hammers, one trigger). Reilly did not make a lot of the “German style” trigger guards.