doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com T. M. Wallis, Philadelphia

I just purchased a 12 gauge percussion double made by Thomas M. Wallis of Philadelphia. I have not had much success finding much information about this gunmaker other than a copy of a patent application for "Supplementary Barrels for Revolvers" from 1876 in which he assigned half of his rights to William Wurfflein.

It appears well made and action is in very good mechanical condition. The barrels have lots of surface rust on both the outside and the inside. The underside area between the stock and barrels had thick coating of aged grease which protected that area from rust. I paid next to nothing for this gun with the hope that I could use the action and stock for a project. Plus it has a silver oval on the top of the wrist with the name J. Birkenback(h)Philadelpia engraved in it. I'm a sucker for anything historical. Now I am wondering if I am being shortsighted and should explore having the barrels refinished. I've seen plenty of before and after pictures of damascas barrels that have been redone and I have always found the results to be almost miraculous, but I have never seen any information regarding the results of re-polishing of the bores. I know that the best thing to do is take it to a qualified smith for an opinion but until then I'm just trying to do a little research.

So I guess my question is two fold: Does anyone have any information on T. M. Wallis and can anyone share some links with me where I can read up on what a redo of the barrels both inside and out would entail?

Here are a few photos of what I am talking about.

Sellers says he worked for Wurfflein from 1877-1885 and was active in Phil from 1856-1884.

Patents
Patent
Patent
Patent

1860 Census
Thomas M Wallis Gunsmith
Age in 1860: 28
Birth Year: abt 1832
Birthplace: England
Home in 1860: Philadelphia Ward 11, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Gender: Male
Post Office: Philadelphia
Household Members:
Name Age
Thomas M Wallis 28
Mary A Wallis 23
Philip Wallis 5/12




1870 United States Federal Census
Name: Thomas Wallis GunSmith
Birth Year: abt 1833
Age in 1870: 37
Birthplace: England
Home in 1870: Philadelphia Ward 19 District 60, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Philadelphia
Household Members:
Name Age
Thomas Wallis 37
Mary Wallis 35
Philip Wallis 11
Mary Wallis 9
Jane Wallis 7
Ida Wallis 5
Clara Wallis 3

Michael, thank you for posting the information you were able to uncover. I'm trying to find any information that I can regarding the quality and reputation of this maker. Everything helps.

According to Vorisek, Wurfflein was around from 1835 to 1915. Andrew died in 1871 and his son, William took over the business. They were known to have converted muzzle loaders, not an uncommon part of the trade during this time period. Sellers seems to use the 2 patent dates to date the time Wallis worked for Wurfflein.

Pete