Steve, many thanks for that erudite and extremely well-written and informative history...I learned a lot...not the least about the original Lefaucheux at the 1851 Crystal Palace Exposition and the presence of Lang's pin-fire at the 1855 Paris Universelle...I had looked in vain for this information. I would love to find out what Reilly exhibited...It was a triumph for him..all his exhibits were sold and numerous orders were booked. Did he have a center-break gun there?

I'll assume that the April 1860 Reilly pin-fire SN 11469 and possibly the over-trigger-guard levered Reilly pictured in the early 1860 book might not have been Jones under-levers after all but rather copies of Béringer's improvement? Need additional info on 11469 which might answer the question. I have written to Holt's re the question "single bite" or double. Holts may retain information on the gun. Also, It was a little amazing that 11469 didn't sell. It was estimated at between £500-700
https://auctions.holtsauctioneers.com/as...3&saletype=

I will say that Reilly business model was - sell cheap, fill orders rapidly, but make quality. If he could avoid patent payments, he would. It was the "margins" which were important (interesting and very modern business model; An address engraving mistake? Purdey would blanch - Reilly? "Push it out the door - it shoots fine"). He made Jones under levers up into the 1880's..no patent problem. So I suspect he didn't make a Jones under-lever (unless specifically ordered) until after the lapse of the patent (by accident) in 1862. But..11469 is interesting...we'll see what Holt's has to say.

I've told Dean Fletcher, the New Zealand gentleman who owns 10655, that his gun has excited interest here. I can ask him for more photos if it would help.

Stonehenge's 1859 book: https://archive.org/details/shot-gunsporting00walsrich/page/n1

Last edited by Argo44; 11/14/19 12:30 AM.
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