I think we would be well served to define "make" in this context.
Does it mean forge and machine the metal parts, file the action and barrels
stock and finish, etc?
If the action comes from London but the barrels originate in Birmingham or
Belgium - where was it made?
Food for thought.
Steve;
Good thought.
I was contemplating "make" (since we are subjecting London gun makers) as the Purdey model of making guns and rifles of the period---that of procuring forged actions and barrel tubes from the trade, then filing or machining. boring, drilling, reaming, screwing and so forth required to "make" or build a gun or rifle during the period of about 1880 to 1950. I use the term filing (as you did) because few gunmakers likely had milling machines in 1880--and for a few years. Further the procurement of boxlock (A&D) forging would be expected to come from the trade in the English midlands, to my mind, and of course as you note the barrels could be sourced English or abroad.
Stephen Howell
