It was indeed a sad day when I parted with it but am pleased that it is in good hands and "working".
But as luck would have it I acquired another very similar E M Reilly shortly thereafter from a backwater gun shop. It is in very good condition with beautiful damascus barrels but is missing it's original case and is not quite as well engraved. I am not using it so may well sell it on as all my shooting revolves around clay target (Valley gun club) and black powder and I must admit to having lost enthusiasm to shoot birds.