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Can't find patent 1011, but it seems to date from the decade of the 1770's.

In rummaging, I came across a fascinating transcript of testimony going into excrusiating detail about British military weapons in 1868, by several sitting British officers. Fun fact: Why did they choose the .451 bore for the military rifle? Because it was thought to be the smallest ball that would break a horse's leg.

Really interesting stuff, and not in the least primitive or benighted. There is a good bit of dicussion of Metford, Rigby, Henry, Westley Richards, and the other big players. Most of the Metford stuff is down around page 35.

http://books.google.com/books?id=IytcAAA...ing&f=false

Most likely the number 1011 is a patent use number not the patent number. Metford Patent number was 2488 granted in 1865.

Mike is correct. I checked my copy of British patents for small arms. During this period, a patent number was associated with the year it was granted, so the proper notation is 65-2488. A simple number like 1011 is a "use number". Essentially it refers back to the legal contract to use the patent. To my knowledge is no central repository for use numbers.

Metford held 2 additional patents in the US.

For a Projectile. He held this with Henry St John Halford
Patent number: 406728
Filing date: May 5, 1888
Issue date: Jul 9, 1889

http://www.google.com/patents?id=gTBbAAA...ord&f=false

Improvement in Breech Loading Fire Arms
JOHN FABQUHARSON, OF BLAIRGOWEIE, NOETH BRITAIN, ASSIGNOB TO GEOBGE GIBBS, THOMAS PITT, AND WILLIAM ELLIS METFORD, OF BRISTOL, ENGLAND.

Patent number: 193759
Filing date: Jun 28, 1877
Issue date: Jul 31, 1877

http://www.google.com/patents?id=6JZtAAA...ord&f=false

Pete

From: Jonathan Kirton.
You will find a record of Metford Patent Use Numbers in my book:
"The British Falling Block Breechloading Rifle from 1865".
First edition, starting on page 98;
Second edition, starting on page 143.
The original barrel carrying the Gibbs' name and address, and the Metford APUN probably came originally from a Gibbs-Metford or Gibbs-Farquharson-Metford rifle, dating back to circa 1880, which was subsequently lined and reproved in Great Britain, probably after it had been fitted to the Winchester action, thus explaining the later British proofs.

Oh, just another Lowall "parts gun", huh. (kidding).