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1837-98 - Reilly and and airguns - 1st post (Photos hi-jacked by Photobucket - NEVER FORGET)

To try to define the chronology, history and date Reilly serial number more precisely, I’m going to enter some Reilly air gun canes. They seemed to have survived more intact - probably because they weren’t hauled into the woods and the cases were kept in substantial houses.

Reilly’s were specialists in air-guns and in “1850” wrote a treatise on air guns. (I think it to be written at least a year earlier in 1849 or even 1848). (Text below)

http://www.network54.com/Forum/681456/message/1493983648



He identified himself as “Reilly, Junr” (presumably Reilly, junior)….
The address of the firm was No. 502, New Oxford Street, “removed from 316 Holborn,” London. The title page of this Treatise is important because it still has “removed from 316 Holborn” on the title page. They moved to Oxford St. in March 1847. The Reilly’s quit using the Holborn name about a year after the move to Oxford Street.

Here are some Reilly air guns arranged as best I can per the label’s by chronological order. Only one has a Serial Number but that one may be important.

1). Xxxxx
Name: J.C. REILLY, 316 HOLBORN, LONDON
Description: .41 CAL; RIFLED BBL, BORE GOOD, BLACK PAINTED FINISH, HORN CANE HANDLE, COMES WITH ORIGINAL PUMP, FIXED SIGHTS, ROUND BALL LOADS INTO A ROTATING BREACH, BUTTON TRIGGER, COCKING KEY INCLUDED, MAKER'S MAHOGANY TAKE DOWN CASE, BRASS MUZZLE PROTECTOR

Comment: Reilly was at316 High Holborn from Aug 1835 to March 1847 (see history - 4th post in this line). This is the first extant 316 High Holborn label I've seen.
https://ellwoodepps.com/joesph-charles-reilly-air-gun-cane.html
Comment:






2). Xxxxx
Name: J.C. REILLY, 316 HIGH HOLBURN, LONDON
Description: This cane rifle consists of two parts painted black enamel which measures just under 38 inches including the screw on horn handle. The center joint ring is marked "REILLY 316 HOLBORN LONDON IMPROVED". The pump is screwed onto the upper portion to fill the chamber with air. The pump consists of an iron tube with brass ends and a screw on iron handle for the pump. The tube is marked "J.C. REILLY 316 HIGH HOLBORN LONDON". The lower portion of the cane houses the breech and firing mechanism. After the chamber is "pumped up", the two pieces are screwed together and the muzzle end has a brass tip which screws off and the attached wooden barrel plug comes out. The breech is opened by a sliding lever and is loaded with a round bullet through a round hole on top of the shaft. A key is then used to cock it and a small post "trigger" pops out of the side. The trigger is simply pushed to fire the rifle. The barrel is rifled and gauges at 38 caliber. It is equipped with a small blade front and notched rear sights.

Comment: Reilly was at High Holburn from 1835 to March 1847.
https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/55/64/reilly-co-edward-m-air#detail




3). 7801 ??
Name: REILLY, NEW OXFORD STREET, LONDON
Description: REILLY LONDON A RARE CASED 28-BORE PERCUSSION COMBINATION WALKING-STICK GUN serial no. 7801. circa 1845 comprising of a 28 3/4in. re-browned octagonal damascus rifle barrel signed `REILLY NEW OXFORD STREET LONDON` (renewed) small dove-tailed crescent fore-sight blued standing notch rear-sight with one folding leaf a 29 3/4in. re-browned damascus round shot barrel with octagonal breech section (unsigned) and an unsigned octagonal 32-bore 3in. re-browned damascus pistol barrel (probably a later addition) matching period London proofs together with a percussion under-hammer squared boxlock action with guarded trigger the top-tang signed `REILLY NEW OXFORD ST. LONDON`

Comment:
--this is an early Reilly after they moved to 502 New Oxford Street in late March 1847. It has he picture of 502 indicating it is post 1848-9. For the first 12 months or so after the move the wrote "removed from Holborn" on the labels.
--The SN is interesting because if his air-gun canes were numbered in the same series as his long guns, this is the earliest number after the move. I’ve speculated that EM and JC just jumped numbers up from about 4.500 to 8,400 after the move. However, this cane if the SN is in the long-gun series will change that.
-- (the auction house is wrong; the cane can’t be 1845 and have the New Oxford Street address - see the chronology)
-- Note: I’ve found a JC REILLY shotgun with the 502 New Oxford Street address with a serial number 7280. This is outside of the EM Reilly numbering system - the earliest I found was 8463, which had the label "502 New Oxford" plus "removed from Holborn." (posted below) This makes me wonder whether Joseph Charles and E.M split their serial numbering at this time. i.e. J.C. may have continued with his own numbering system and let EM begin anew with SN’s after 8,400). This will be investigated further. (or it could be that the "7" is actually a "9")
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-us/aucti...f6-a4340134dc99





Here are two S&W revolvers sent to India for a Marahajah with same label: - date of the S&W models may help date the label.



(for historians to compare labels this from Serial numbered guns)"
8463 - (1848’s?); !!!!!!!!!! Earliest SN after move to 502 Oxford !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Address: Reilly, New Oxford Street, London (case label has “removed from Holborn);
Description: .390, percussion, double express rifle. Enfield type rifling, muzzle loading; (breaks down) with patch box in butt;
Comment: This is the first confirmed use of the Oxford Street address on a Reilly gun..and the label "removed from Holborn" would seem to indicate an early provenance after the change to Oxford street.
http://jamesdjulia.com/item/lot-1361-e-m...nal-case-40673/

and the label:




4). Xxxxx
Name: E.M REILLY & Co., OXFORD STREET,
Description: 1

Comment: REILLY on the label with a picture of 502 New Oxford Street. I believe this label was the company label from about 1849 to 1859 when E.M. added his initials to the firm.
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/aucti...4f-a41800b08eda





Last edited by Argo44; 09/22/18 01:57 PM.
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