Originally Posted By: old colonel
Few people seem to bother with what exactly Holland made, finished, or sold

Holland ensured quality in what they put their name on. Later they of course went in house, which is the opposite of many labels.

It appears Reilly did likewise within the parameters of the grade in question.

The long going argument between some on what Reilly “made” “finished” or just sold is tiresome.

Cherry picking from the documentary evidence can make whichever answer you want.

Unfortunately, the lack of witnesses and or more specific documentation will likely leave us without a prefect answer indefinitely

PS I own a late Reilly which may or may not have been made by Reilly, but either way it is a nice gun.


I’m not cherry picking anything, dude. Difference here is that while H&H certainly brought in complete guns, finished barreled actions etc, they freely admit to it and they can name who was running the shop, who was lead actioner, stocker, barrel maker, and engravers for guns they completely built in house. NOTHING seems to exist that can even come close to backing up the claims of Reilly’s advertising from the period. Do you find it odd that while Reilly’s shop was only a few doors down from Purdeys at one point......not one soul from that legendary firm knows another gunmaker, jobber or iron monger from Reilly? What’s that tell you?? You don’t have to be the Hardy Boys to figure it out.
Not one person has said that the guns Reilly sold weren’t of good quality, or “nice” guns. That’s besides the point, OC.