G.E. Lewis was a very respected Birmingham gunmaker. Lewis wasn't a proficient inventer of new things, but they built extremely well finished, robust arms. One of the notable hallmarks of Lewis guns is the use of game scene engraving at a time when others weren't doing it much....this is probably due to the fact that the Lewis's were pretty good engravers and also enjoyed wildlife art which was popular at the time, pretty much the same reason that W&C Scott guns were engraved with game birds, etc. Lewis would build you any type of weapon that you wanted and had the money for. They seemed to be fans of the boxlock action, treble grips & crossbolts, action bolsters & greener type lever work. A lot of Lewis guns you'll come across were built for wild fowling. One notable catch phrase Lewis liked to use on their higher grade guns was "gun of the period".
Here is a somewhat recent discussion on Lewis:
http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=316869&page=1
