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

===========*7 1840 Name Change to Reilly FOOTNOTES/ANNOTATION ============

*7 August 1840: Company Name Changes to "Reilly":

. . . . .*7a - firm's name in advertisements changed from J.C. Reilly to just "Reilly,":
Top: 15 Jun 1840: “Bell’s Life”
Bottom: 14 Aug 1840: “Evening Standard”


. . . . .*7b – 1841 census – gunmaker. Joseph Charles Reilly 1841 Census entry for 316 High Holborn - note that Edward Michael was also identified as "Gun Maker."


. . . . .*7c - Name on barrels remains "J.C. Reilly" or "Joseph Charles Reilly."


. . . . .*7d – 316 High Holborn Case/Trade label


. . . . .*7e - SN 1174 - 8 bore. Fowling piece; Percussion single shot, Photo from Holts:


. . . . .*7f - SN 1869 - 10 bore Shotgun; SxS; hammer gun, muzzle loader: - No photo, Terry Buffum: “JC Reilly, SxS Percussion Hammer Gun, 10 ga, SN 1869; Cased with oil bottle, shot and powder flasks (from Terry Buffum’s consignment sheet).

. . . . .*7g - SN 3329 - 10 bore Shotgun; SxS; hammer gun, muzzle loader; Photo from Bonham’s:


. . . . .*7h - SN xxxx - J.C. Reilly, 316, High Holborn, London. 10 bore. Shotgun; SxS; hammer gun, Photo from Holts


. . . . .*7i – SN yyyy - J.C. Reilly, 316, High Holborn, London. 16 bore. Shotgun; SxS; hammer gun, Photo from Bruun-Rasmussen:


. . . . .*7j 07 Aug 1837. “Morning Chronicle” – Reilly system of boring barrels.


=============*7 Name Change to Reilly END FOOTNOTES/ANNOTATION ============

================= *8 1840 Air Guns TEXT ===================

*8 1840's: Air-guns:

JC Reilly during this period also became known for his air cane guns. Air guns had been around for years. Lewis & Clark carried one on their expedition across America.*8a Manton made one in the 1820's. However, around 1840 they became exceedingly popular and just about every gun-maker advertised them. Young EM was billed as the expert and was so mentioned in advertisements for the next 8 years, identified as "Reilly Junr."*8b

In 1847 EM wrote a widely disseminated pamphlet on air guns. It is mostly an advertising brochure highlighting the company's ability to produce all sorts of air-guns and parts - but also going into air pressures they achieved in the air chambers and other technical aspects of the guns. It is cited to this day. The pamphlet title page noted the author was "Reilly junr," used the (new) 502 New Oxford Street address and included the phrase "Removed from Holborn" (see below). *8c

Note: The earliest Reilly trade-case label known (for 316 High Holborn Street) came out of an air-gun case, not surprisingly since it was undoubtedly not carried out into muddy fields. It appears that Reilly did not serial number air guns even though the company manufactured and made the guns (similar to post 1837 hand-guns mentioned above). This said there is one air-gun with a serial number 7801 with J.C. Reilly’s name on it. This appears to be a legitimate JC “7000” series number (see below).*8d

A collage of extant Reilly air guns dating from the 1830’s to the 1880’s is pictured below:*8e. Note: There is an extensive series of posts going into detail on a dozen extant Reilly air guns dating from the 1830's to the 1880's posted here beginning at the bottom of the page: https://doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=509815

Note: Reilly became so associated with air-guns that his name was mentioned in various fiction "who-done-its,*8f, *8g and may have been a prototype for the Sherlock Holmes short story "The Empty House" by Arthur Conan Doyle.*8h

Interesting fact: Apparently by 1843 E.M. Reilly (Reilly, Jnr) had joined the Masonic Lodge. And advertisement in “The Freemason” from 1843 identified him as “Brother Reilly Junr.”*8i He was also a practicing Catholic who contributed substantially to the local Catholic church (commented on below).*8j There was apparently no contradiction in being both a Mason and a Catholic.

================ *8 1840 Air Guns END TEXT =================

============== *8 1840 Air Guns FOOTNOTES/ANNOTATION ==================

*8 1840's: Air-guns: There are two long 3 part posts on the Reilly line discussing a doxen Reilly air cane guns in detail:

. . . . .*8a – Air gun carried by Lewis&Clark expedition, now in NRA museum in Virginia;


. . . . .*8b – Reilly, jnr. Air cane guns; 22 April 1843, “Morning Chronicle “ :


. . . . .*8c – Reilly pamphlet on air guns, 1847. (Note this pamphlet is dated circa 1850 in virtually every article published about Reilly or air guns. Base on the "Removed from Holborn" phrase, however, it is now definitively dated to 1847...probably that summer.


. . . . .*8d – SN 7801 air cane with a label from post December 1847:


. . . . .*8e – Collage of air canes: On the Reilly line of DGS-BBS there are a long series of posts discuSsing a dozen Reilly air cane guns:


. . . . .*8f – Fiction - Le Coiuffeur de Chateaubriand


. . . . .*8g – Fiction - The Case of Peter the Painter


. . . . .*8h – Fiction - The Empty House, by A. Conan Doyle


============== *8 1840 Air Guns END FOOTNOTES ==================

================= Pause 1 and Questions ==================[/b

[b]PAUSE: We're about 1/10th of the way through the Reilly documentation. I just want to check to see if there are any objections so far. To reiterate the evidence above appears to show that:
-- Reilly began making guns around 1828 in addition to dealing in quality used guns.
-- By 1831 he was selling guns in the white to country dealers
-- By 1835 he was possibly selling guns in the white to London gunmakers.
-- He was a pistol maker as well as a long-gun maker
-- In 1835 he moved to 316 High Holborn.
-- About 1837 he quit numbering pistols but continued to assemble and engrave them
-- He did the same with air guns in the 1840's. E.M. was billed as the expert,
-- His son E.M. may have become a full partner in the firm in 1840 at the age of 23.
-- He was boring his own barrels as early as 1837. *(Not sure in spite of claims: this to be discussed further on Chap 35 Reilly Barrels)

All good so far? No dissensions?

Anybody have any documentation on Reilly only being a "Retailer" during this period? If so please post the evidence so it can be debated.

Welcome other observations. (I have a lot more material but I can think of several questions I'd like to have answered myself). Thanks,

Great job of copy and pasting....

How does it feel to have one million 300+ views and know you are the main view'e ?

Ok, I guess the history and analysis presented looks to be substantive, credible and logical so far; - so onward:

============== *9 502 New Oxford-Street TEXT==================

*9 March 1847: Move to 502 New Oxford-Street

In late March 1847 Reilly moved from High Holborn to 502 New Oxford Street, a large edifice also called the "Elizabethan buildings" on a new extension of Oxford Street.*9a

The building was not more than a few hundred yards from his two previous workshops at 12 Middle Row an 316 High Holborn; Reilly was attached to this neighborhood apparently.
. . . . .Attached an 1890 plat map on New Oxford Street with location of 502.*9a(1)

With this move, Reilly demonstrated another trait of his business acumen, i.e. "location." The new road provided access to the center of London from the wealthy West End suburbs. He always chose prestigious, high-traffic locations for his stores.

-- Comment: the story of the extension of Oxford Street has also to do with slum clearing. This area was a notorious pit of crime, rabbit warren streets and poverty known as "the Rookery"...the Charles Dickens era...and road building apparently was a way to solve the public problem. "The building of New Oxford Street together with the later reconstruction of Shaftsbury Avenue through other notorious parts of St. Giles began the reclamation of this long infamous area for respectability," *9b

The building was quite large, 5 stores and at least an estimated 8,000 square feet of space for retail, manufacturing, and for a homestead on the top floor. For a gun-maker in London, this was an enormous space - guns in London were being made in shops at the time the size of a kitchen.
. . . . .Attached a sketch of 502 New Oxford Street from the subsequent Reilly trade label.*9c(1)
. . . . .Attached photo of current New Oxford Street with outline of the former 502.*9c(2)

A word of explanation about the nature of the London gun business:

. . . . .-- It was always concentrated into small, sometimes tiny, workshops and buildings. Purpose built “factories” as one would normally recognize such as some of the large firms in Birmingham, did not exist in London until Holland&Holland built their factory in the 1890’s. At this time, the late 1840’s as stated, Reilly operated his “factory” out of 502 (later 16) New Oxford Street, and 11 years later from a second factory at 315 (later 277) Oxford Street).

. . . . .-- As an example of the type of workshop common in London, Purdey operated for 60 years from a small building at 314 ½ Oxford Street (actually 314 & 315), where he had his showroom, fitting rooms, administrative offices and his workshops.*9d
. . . . . . . . .- Attached London 1890 map plat of Oxford Street.*9d(1)
. . . . . . . . .- London Postal Directory of 1882 with old and new numbering.*9d(2)
. . . . . . . . .- 1885 photo or Oxford Street with both 277 and Purdey's 314 1/2 in the background. Building hight is considerably higher than today. EM Reilly's son fell from the top floor of 277 in 1895, a distance of 50'.*9d(3)
. . . . . . . . .- Google earth photo of Purdey's 314 1/2 Oxford Street today.*9d(4)

. . . . .-- A second example is 22 Cockspur Street where Lang had his workshop from 1851-1872. This was where the first UK pin-fire center-break gun was made. It had a 28 yard shooting gallery as well as access to two billiard tables located a block away (where they had been since 1830).*9e
. . . . .Attached map plate of 22 Cockspur Street with shooting gallery.*9e(1)
. . . . .Attached photo of 22 Cockspur Street.*9e(2)

. . . . .—Finally, It was quite common for gunmakers to live on the premises of their gun shops. Reilly certainly did this from at least 1835 to 1903 per the annual UK census. Attached is a bankruptcy announcement for Joseph Manton from 1826 showing that his house was on Hanover Square, adjoining at the back to several workshops which gave onto 315 Oxford Street (see above).*9f

============ *9 502 New Oxford-Street END TEXT================

============ *9 502 New Oxford-Street FOOTNOTES ================

*9 March 1847: Move to 502 New Oxford-Street

. . . . .*9a – 502 New Oxford Street move advertisement:
20 March 1847, “Morning Post”


. . . . .*9b - plan for the New Oxford Street extension 1844:


. . . . .*9c – Photos; Sketch, photos of 502 New Oxford Street: Comment: The size of this building alone shows that Reilly was engaged in large scale manufacturing.
. . . . . . . . . .From Dec 1847 Label:


. . . . . . . . . .1860 Map


. . . . . . . . . .1890 detailed London plat showing lots:


. . . . . . . . . .1882 London Postal Directory showing Reilly was on the north side of New Oxford Street, 7th house down:


. . . . . . . . . .From Google Earth in present day: The entire block was rebuilt apparently in the 1980's...Reilly building would have been still standing when Donald Dallas walked past it on his way to London School of Economics.


. . . . .*9d Reilly’s 315 Oxford Street (post 1858) and Purdey’s 314 ½ Oxford Street from an 1883 photo:


. . . . . . . . . .From Google Earth the modern juxtaposition of the buildings for Reilly at 315 (277) Oxford Street and Purdey at 314 ½ (287, 289) Oxford Street:


The buildings are not the same – they are less tall for sure. (Reily's son fell from the top floor of 277 and died in 1895). But observe the footprint for Purdey. That building for 60 years was where Purdey built his guns, sold and fitted his guns, and was the administration headquarters.

. . . . .*9e 22 Cockspur Street, where Lang was located from 1851-1874 and where the British center-break pin-fire was born. That was a factory - the well known shooting gallery was apparently a block away.


========== *9 502 New Oxford-Street END FOOTNOTES =============

============ *10 502 April-Nov 47 Trade Label TEXT ================

*10 April-November 1847: Change in Trade Label

From April 1847 to November 1847 the trade label kept the form of the old High Holborn case label format but with the 502 New Oxford Street, London address and a note that the firm had "Removed from Holborn." *10a
Two versions:



Note: Reilly used the phrase "Removed from Holborn" in advertisements after the move from April 1847 to November 1847. By December 1847 it had disappeared from his ads.*10b, *10c

========== *10 502 April-Nov 47 Trade Label END TEXT ==============

============ *10 502 April-Nov 47 Trade Label FOOTNOTES ================

*10 April-November 1847: Change in Trade Label

. . . . .*10a – Apr-Dec 1847 Label;
Two versions:
_____________________. . . . . _________________________
|. .Joseph C. Reilly . . . .| . . | . . . .Joseph Charles Reilly. . . .|
|. . .Gun Maker. . . . . . | . . .| . . . . . .Gun Maker. . . . . . . . |
|502 New Oxford Street. |. . . |502 New Oxford Street, London|. . .plus
|Removed from Holborn|. . . | . . .Removed from Holborn. . |




June 1847: “Removed from Holborn”
. . . . .*10b – Advertisements for 502 New Oxford Street with Removed from Holborn
top: April 3, 1847, "Illustrated London News" – “Removed from Holborn”
Bottom: Aug, 1847, Morning Chronicle – “Removed from Holborn”


09 Nov 1847, "Morning Chronicle" with “Removed from Holborn”:


. . . . .*10c – First 502 New Oxford Street Advertisement without “Removed from Holborn”
21 Dec 1847 “Illustrated London News” – “"Removed from Holborn" NOT present.


============ *10 502 April-Nov 47 Trade Label END FOOTNOTES ================

============ *11 1847: Number change TEXT ================

*11 1847: Change in the Main-Line Numbering Chronology - 3350 Jumps to 8350

At the time of the move the main serial number chronology for Reilly long-guns was jumped up 5000 numbers from about SN 3350 to begin anew at around 8350 (called for simplicity the "8350" series). The name on serial numbered guns after the move ultimately became simply "Reilly" with exceptions.

. . .-- SN 3329 is the last extant gun made at High Holborn. It is a 10 gauge SxS percussion rifle with Joseph Charles Reilly, 316 High Holburn, London on the rib. *11a

. . .-- SN 8378 is the first extant main-line SN'd gun from the new building, a SxS 12 bore muzzle-loading shotgun. It has "J.C. Reilly, 502 New Oxford Street, London" on the rib. The original label in the old High Holborn case label format has the 502 New Oxford Street, London address and notes the firm had "Removed from Holborn." *11b

. . .-- SN 8463 is the first extant SN'd gun in the new series with only "Reilly, 502 New Oxford Street, London." The gun is a .390 cal SxS muzzle loader rifle, also with "Removed from Holborn" on the label.*11c

Note: Reilly used the phrase "Removed from Holborn" in advertisements after the move from April 1847 to November 1847. By December 1847 it had disappeared from his ads. (See above).

========== *11 1847: Number change END TEXT ==============