I believe there were a few main firms producing forgings for the trade. I'd presume they supplied to numerous action makers. Some, no doubt would have supplied barrelled actions or finished guns. There was a thread on here about it a while back.
I find it fascinating that so many individuals and small firms worked together , some for a main maker, others having parts on their benches for several makers at any one time. It was proper free lance stuff, the best would have work everyday of the year while others moved around and took work where they could. Imagine trying to organise a business like that today what with all the red tape and regulations, I bet it'd be a bloody nightmare.
