Thanks Stephen. This idea - try to graph the average number of orders per month over a total year to hone the dating chart - is certainly quixotic. No amount of analysis can take into account financial crashes, changes in taste etc. Practically, the best my effort could do is to date the guns within a few months, which is certainly adequate for an auction house.
Still, the curiosity was there and it was created by the practices of Manufrance. "Papeman" on this site has the Pape records. I'm hoping that he could take a look at the books for three or four years in the 1860-'s-1870's to see if there were a pattern. Certainly Reilly throughout the history of the company built "spec guns". . .guns partially completed awaiting a buyer for customization. . throughout the spring of each year which were then bought and finished during the summers.
Last edited by Argo44; 11/18/24 06:03 PM.
