Thanks Dustin, There is scant mention of the 499 patent Baker refers to it on pg19 of vol.2 of the British Shotgun and Masters mentions it in the Lancaster chapter of the AGL opus. It was a provincial patent only so may not bear on this discussion at all.
I don't understand the "wrist-breaker" nickname for this patent. The Beesely closes as easily as can be with that distinctive"clink" of the flat spring.
Maybe when Joe from Charlette gets home he'll tell us more about his gun. I think there is more to this story.