There is a 5 year posting window for this line and that window runs out on the p.57 Reilly serial number database this spring. It must be moved forward to allow for future updates. When this happens the "5000" series will have to be added. While there is an upper limit 1847-48, based on addresses on ribs, there is no lower limit except for the August 1835 move to 316 High Holborn.

After consideration the start of the series for now is placed at summer 1837 when he ceased serial numbering pistols. This could be 1836 or summer 1840 when EM became a full partner. However, until more information is developed here is what will be added to the chart based on 7 guns in the series; this includes adding the to the yearly total - this solution is the most logical as far as number per year serial numbered:

1837:. . .4500 - 4500. . +. 90 . . (4573)
1838:. . .4590 - 4730. . +140 .
1839:. . .4730 - 4870. . +140 .
1840:. . .4870 - 5010. . +140 .
1841:. . .5010 - 5160. . +150 .
1842:. . .5160 - 5310. . +150 .
1843:. . .5310 - 5460. . +150 .
1844:. . .5460 - 5620. . +160 . . (5512, 5580)
1845:. . .5620 - 5780. . +160 . . (5759)
1846:. . .5780 - 5940. . +160 . . (5810)
1847:. . .5940 - 6100. . +160 . . (5991 - New Oxford St.)
1848:. . .6100 - 6160. . +. 60 . . (6155 - New Oxford St.)

Edit: The SN chart has been updated. The history para III/14 which discussed the 5000 series has been moved to II/7 and the footnotes changed.

*7 J.C. "5000" Serial Number series Late 1830's - mid 1840's:

There are seven extant Serial Numbered SxS percussion guns ranging from 4573 to 6155 from apparently the late 1830’s to late-1840's which are very similar. Reilly apparently had a consistent “5000” serial number series of some sort.

It may be that J.C. and E.M. split their gun numbering series around 1840 when E.M. apparently became a full partner (and when the firm began using just "Reilly" in its advertisements) well before the move to Oxford Street, E.M. keeping the main-line series and jumping it to 8350 in 1847 and J.C. numbering guns with the 4500-6000 series and jumping those numbers to the 7000 series in 1846; Or more likely it may be that J.C. Reilly created this serial number series around 1837 when he stopped numbering hand guns. (There is an upper date limit marker for this "series" - 5991 & 6155 - which are post March 1847 from the address on the rib. However, there is no lower date marker for the series other than the 316 High Holborn address on the ribs - which could extend back to August 1835.)

. . . -- SN 4573 - c1837, a 7 gauge, smoothbore, short single barrel, dangerous game gun with "J.C. Reilly, 316 High Holborn, London" on the barrel. The gun appears to be from the 1840-1844 timeframe.*7a

. . . -- SN 5512 – 1844, a 16 bore SxS muzzle loader shotgun, which has “J.C. Reilly, 316 High Holborn, London now 502 New Oxford Street” on the rib, the only gun found so far with both addresses and it would appear numbered around the time of the move. However, the two addresses are printed a slightly different font indicating 5512 may have been brought in for maintenance after the March 1847 move and re-engraved at that time; *7b

. . .-- SN 5580 – 1844, a 12 bore SxS muzzle loader shotgun, which has “J.C. Reilly, 316 High Holborn, London” on the rib, (engraving and format very similar to 5512 above); *7c

. . .-- SN xxxx – 1843-47?, The engraving on 5512 and 5580 match remarkably to a 12 bore SxS percussion gun advertised by Christies with “J.C. Reilly, 316 High Holborn, Londonn” on the rib; The SN was unpublished, however, it could be part of this possible “5500 series.” *7d

. . .-- SN yyyy – 1843-47?, The engraving on 5512 and 5580 also match quite well a 16 bore Reilly SxS percussion shotgun with “Reilly, 316, High Holborn, London” on the rib.*7e

. . .-- SN 5759 – 1845, a 10 bore SxS percussion shotgun, serial numbered “5759” on the barrels; no SN on the tang. No address on the flat filed rib; "Reilly" on the action. The seller speculated that the barrels had been rebored from a 12 bore rifle; The barrel is substantial and is stamped "12." The rib possibly was re-laid at that time and the scroll guard trigger/pistol grip tang replaced.*7f

. . .-- SN 5810 – 1846, 16 bore SxS percussion shotgun, SN 5810 “Reilly, 316, High Holborn, London” on the rib.*7g

. . .-- SN 5991 – 1847, a 17 bore SxS percussion rifle, serial numbered “5991” on the barrels. “991” is found on forend stock, hammers and ramrod. “Reilly, New Oxford Street, London” is engraved on the rib; “Reilly, London” on the side plates. The case has a post December 1847 Reilly label pasted over a Lang label from 7 Haymarket Street, from circa 1845-1848. If this serial number is part of the hypothetical “5500” JC series, then it may indicate that the series was continued for some reason into the late 1840’s and used along-side the new “7000” series. *7h

. . .-- SN 6155 – 1848, a .550 bore SxS .550 percussion cap sporting musket with 24" octagonal barrels. Reilly on the lockplate; SN on the tang, 6155; no serial number on the underside of the barrel; no address visible.*7i

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Last edited by Argo44; 01/10/26 08:35 PM.
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