Hey Recoil Bob, I see the initials "JA" on your barrels. Any idea who this barrel maker was? I have a Rosson from 1938 with the same initials.
nial
Joseph Asbury Birmingham barrel maker to the trade in Weaman's Row.
Hellis made few guns in house at London. Most(and all A&D's) were made by the trade in Birmingham and the example (2 inch) shown above with Greener top lever works and slide safety (in lieu of the better Scott spindle and rocker safety) were the norm for Hellis A&D's. I have seen original order forms from Hellis to Birmingham makers for dozens of A&D's from the time period in question. A Hellis may sell for more than another gun from Birmingham because of Hellis' London address on barrel, even though the specific Hellis may be of lower quality--such as the lever works as stated above. This of course is not to belittle Greener top lever works as if they are fitted perfectly they will last for a long time--they just take less time to make and fit, therefore costing less from the trade.
