doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Reilly Box Lock - Best Gun

I mis-read a couple of things. WR didn't really begin to promote the Box lock until 1877.
24 March 1877 - The Field:


Greener was absolutely one of the first firms in 1877 to go whole-heartedly into advertising and promoting the "box lock."

21 July 1877 - The Field:


Nevertheless, by 1880 I was under the impression (from Donald Dallas and others) that almost every gunmaker in London were using A&D actions bought in the white from Birmingham. (Reilly didn't get into promoting box locks until 1880.)

But my question about the action has more to do with the doll's head and the top lever. Those characteristic features are what are interesting? I'm not even sure they were protected by a patent or what that entailed. Help needed.

Gene,

WR had patents back to the late 1850s for the top lever and dolls head. These were improved upon over time. This is their first patent TL.

There is also this article from Vic Venters on the WR C-bolt lockup CBolt.

Ken

Here from the Greener “Fine Guns” catalogue (undated but no earlier than 1935 from dates of testimonials) is Greener’s single price for a best gun irrespective of choice of action.

In 1910 it had been 70 Guineas (£73/10/-).

Just more proof that Reilly made Guns about like O'Reillys makes auto parts.

More proof brazier supplied more then locks to the trade.i know greener bought A&D guns from brazier and put there name on them

mc,

I have just acquired this very early W.W. Greener A&D boxlock non ejector and its serial number 19886 indicates it was built in 1878. It has the early style round cocking levers.

Sadly it has been sleeved (it bears the early SLEEVED marks externally at the breeches). The original black powder marks have disappeared with the original barrels and it appears to have been nitro proofed in 1939 but then sleeved in 1961.

I have taken the bottom plate off and cannot find an action maker’s mark. Whereabouts on your 2 is the Brazier marking?

I had a John Dickson conversion stamped Brazier Patent. Also have a Needham needle fire with Brazier marked receiver. Brazier did many things other than locks.

Under the action plate on the frame cross member

Thanks, I will have a closer look.

H. CLARKE & SONS 12-BORE 'ANSON & DEELEY 1875 PATENT' SINGLE-BITE SNAP-ACTION BOXLOCK NON-EJECTOR, serial no. 9683, circa 1880, 30 1/8in. nitro reproved (in 1983) damascus barrels, the rib engraved 'H. CLARKE & SONS. MIDLAND GUN WORKS. LEICESTER.', and with acanthus scroll detailing at the breech-end, 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. imp. cyl. and 3/4 choke, Anson & Deeley patent single-bit barrel-cocking hammerless action, patent no. 1756 of 11th May 1875, use number 1147, the action flats signed 'JOSEPH BRAZIER ASHES.', Westley richards patent toplever, automatic safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, carved leaf fences, fine beaded border and acanthus scroll engraving, retaining very slight traces of colour-hardening and renewed finish, 13 1/4in. figured stock, weight 6lb. 4oz

LOT 6958 in Holt's current sealed bid sale. An early A&D without bottom bolts into the lumps.