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Changing the date for the introduction of E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Makers
Changing the date for the introduction of E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Manufacturers

Going back through the history to make sure it is valid, I took a look at newspaper ads from the time J.C. retired in Sep 1857 to 1861 when the name and label "E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Manufacturers" was firmly established. I've had to make changes.
-- Up to August 1858, possibly Jan 1859 - "Reilly, Gun Maker."
-- Aug 1858 (possibly Jan 1859)-Mar 1859 - "Reilly & Co., Gun Maker" The company may have used this name after Aug 1858. However, if first appears in papers in January 1858.
-- March 1859 - "E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Makers" - This name used for the first time - believe this name superseded "Reilly & Co." though ads appeared simultaneously.
-- August 1860 - "E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Manufacturer" (not plural) - First use in newspaper ads. This previously was the date adopted for when the new label was created. However, now believe that's wrong.
-- April 1861 - "E.M. Reilly & Co, Gun Manufacturers" (plural) - first introduction in newspaper ads that is now the date for the label change. This conclusion is supported somewhat by analyzing large format ads.

Here is the analysis to support the argument - It's pedantic be warned but trying to be as accurate as possible - when guns are being dated, months count:
--------------- 1857--------------------------------------------------------
Sep 1857 - J.C. Reilly retired; Company name in advertisement remains “Reilly, Gun Maker, 502 New Oxford Street”:
. . .02 Sep 1857 London Daily News - Note Gun Maker singular



The Label remained that adopted after the 1855 Paris Universelle with the 1851 & 1855 medals and "Fusils a Bascule"


There was one "outlier newspaper advertisement" "E.M. Reilly, Manufacturer, 502 New Oxford Street" from December 1857 - SN 10655 (March 1858) has this address on its rib.


--------------- 1858--------------------------------------------------------
Up to Aug 1858 the company remained: “Reilly, Gun Maker, 502 New Oxford Street” - Gun Maker singular


Large format Ads remained the same:
1858 Grace's Guide ad


Aug 1858, 315 Oxford Street opens: “Reilly, 502 New Oxford Street and the shooting galleries No. 315“ - Here are the "before and after" ads in "The Field":
. . .Top: 31 Jul 1858 “The Field”
. . .Bottom: 8 Aug 1858 “The Field”


315 Oxford Street adopted a new label:


Both addresses were used in newspaper ads until Dec 1858:


In November & December1858 there was an outlier Ad: “Reilly, Manufacturer, 502, New Oxford Street.” It appeared in three newspapers but apparently had no effect on the name of the company:


======================== To Be Continued======================