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
