doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com E.M. Reilly; History; Chronology; Serial Numbers

=== *45 1850’s-1895: Reilly staff; quality young employees FOOTNOTES ===

*45 1850's-1895: Reilly staff; Quality young employees:

. . . . .*45a "John Baker" -Reilly foreman from 185?-61:
. . . . . . . . . .June 1861 registered the Reilly Patent shell crimper:


. . . . . . . . . .Testified at fraud hearings: 2 April 1861, “Sun”


. . . . . . . . . .b.1822; Married; Died October 1861 accidental poisoning: 16 Oct 1861, “Sun”


. . . . .*45b "Francis Davis" – Reilly manager 1870: He testified for Reilly at the 1870 hearings for violating UK neutrality in the Franco-Prussian war:
. . . . . . . . . .08 Oct 1870, “The Field”


. . . . .*45c "Ruben Hambling" 1884-85 . – May have started out with Reilly in the late 1850's - ran his own gun shop in the midlands then back to Reilly:

. . . . . . . . . .Voting records for Paddington, London 1884-85, Reuben Hambling:


. . . . . . . . . . .Per 1861 census Hambling was a gunmaker in Middlesex (London), UK. It would not be surprising to find he worked for Reilly at that time early in his career:


. . . . .**45d "James Curtis" - Testified in a trial re the purchase of a Reilly revolver by an Irish terrorist.
. . . . . . . . . .13 Sep 1895, “Kilburn Times”


. . . . .*45e "M. Poirat" - manager of Reilly store at 2 rue Scribe, Paris, who tried to convince the new 3rd Republic to buy 6,000 Chessapot rifles stored in Birmingham from Reilly. P.14


There are a couple of Reilly workers also mentioned in articles - it seems Reilly carefully selected and trained his young apprentices.

. . . . .*45f "Mr. Bennett," 1858: who carefully loaded rounds for the guns used in "The Field" trials of 1858 and 1859.


. . . . .*45g "Mr. McNamara" 1862: who was responsible for guiding visitors through the Reilly 1862 London World's Fair exhibit.
Mr. McNamara:


==== *45 1850’s-1895: Reilly staff; quality young employees END FOOTNOTES ===

=========== Pause 5 - Review of principle points 1828-1861 ============

The history is now up to 1861; a decade of very rapid change is ahead. Here are the principle points made over the last 45 chapters. If anyone has comments or objections to any of this, could we please discuss this further now.

And as always if anyone has evidence that Reilly was "merely a retailer" during this period 1820-1860, please post it so it can be debated. Thanks.

----------------------------- CHRONOLOGICAL -------------------------------

-- 1814 – Aug 1835 - Address: - 12 Middle Row, High Holborn.
-- 1814 – Jun 1912 - Name: - Joseph Charles Reilly or J.C. Reilly
-- c1814-1828 - Gun Sales: - Reilly selling and engraving used guns taken in trade for jewelry.
-- c1828 - Gun making: - Reilly began making his own guns in addition to dealing in quality used guns.
-- c1831 - Gun making: - Making and selling guns in the white to country dealers
-- c1835 - Gun making: - Possibly making and selling guns in the white to other London gunmakers.
-- 1828-1837 - Gun making: - He was a pistol maker as well as a long-gun maker
-- Aug 1835 - Address: - moved to 316 High Holborn.
-- 1835 - 1847 - Label: - "Joseph Charles Reilly, Gun Maker, 316 High Holborn, Near Chancery Lane"
-- 1835 – 47 - Address: Facilities: - He had a short indoor range at 316.
-- 1837 - SN's- Gun Sales- He quit numbering pistols but continued to assemble and engrave them

-- [c1840 - Gun Making: Air guns: - Making air guns in the 1840's. E.M. was billed as the expert,
-- Aug 1840 - Co. organization: - E.M. may have become a full partner in the firm in 1840 at the age of 23.
-- Aug 1840 - Name Change: - From "J.C. Reilly" to "Reilly" in advertisements
-- 1837-1847 - Gun making: - He was boring his own barrels as early as 1837.
-- Mar 1847 - Address: - moved to 502 New Oxford Street.
-- Mar 1847 - Dec 1847 - Label: : A New label was used for a few months: Resembles the 316 Label
-- Dec 1847 - 1856 - Label: - A label was created Dec 1847 which continued to 1856. Sketch of 502, Reilly, Gun Maker.
-- Dec 1847 - Aug 1858- Name Change: - "Reilly, Gun Maker"
-- Apr 1847 - SN’s: - Mainline serial numbers jumped up 5000 numbers from about 3350 to 8350 with the move in 1847.
-- Jan 1846 - Sep 1857 - SN’s: - J.C. kept SN's for himself as early as January 1846..called the "7000" series ending in 1857 with his retirement

-- 1851-1890 - Address: Facilities: - 300 yard outdoor shooting/testing range.
-- 1851 - Showcase: - EM represented the company at the Crystal Palace exposition.
-- 1850-1857 - Co. organization: J.C. and E.M., always worked from the same building and used the same trade/case labels.
-- 1850’s - Gun making: The company made custom guns and munitions for famous hunters and military heroes.
-- 1857 - Co. organization: J.C. retired - he died in 1864.
-- 1855 - Showcase: - EM represented the company at the Paris World's Fair.
-- 1855 - Gun making: Pinfires: Reilly began to developed pinfires.
-- 1856 - Gun making: Pinfires: Reilly began advertising and selling pinfires:Four Reilly pinfires from 1856-58 exist: 10054, 10128, 10355, and 10655. 10054 might be the earliest UK made pin-fire center-break gun in existence.
-- 1855 - Label: "Reilly, gun makers, 502 New Oxford Street, fusels a Bascule; Improved Breech Loaders," Sketch of 502 and 1851,55 medals.
-- [1850’s - Gun Making: Percussion Military rifles: - Reilly built military muzzle loading rifles including Enfield Rifle-Musket, General Jacob’s Rifle.
-- 1855-1865 - Gun Making: Breech loader rifles: He also built breech loading rifles including Prince Patent and Terry’s Patent

-- Aug 1858 - Address: - opened 315 Oxford Street manufactory "The Armoury"
-- 1858-1867 - Facilities: - 315 Oxford Street had a 50 yard indoor shooting gallery “on the premises”
-- Aug 1858 – Feb 1859 - Name Changes: - “Reilly & Co., Gun Makers
-- Feb 1859 - Aug 1860 - Name Changes: - “E.M Reilly & Co., Gun Makers
-- Aug 1860 – Apr 1861 - Name Changes: - “E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Manufacturer
-- post March 1861 - Name Changes: - “E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Manufacturers
-- Aug 1858 - Label: - 315 Oxford Street, The Manfactury – “Reilly, Gun Makers”
— Feb 1859 - Label: - 502 New Oxford Street, “E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Makers”
— Feb 1859 - Label: - 315 Oxford Street, Armoury House – “E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Makers”
— Apr 1861 - Label: – 502 New Oxford Street, “E.M. Reilly & Co. Gun Manufacturers”
-- 1859 - Gun sales: - Reilly sold guns and equipment kits to Yoemanry Militia and Gun Clubs both retail and wholesale, few made by him.
-- 1861 - Gun making; - He claimed to be making every part of every gun and invited viewers
-- 1850-1890's - Gun making: - He made his own guns & guns under license from other makers using their patents

-- 1828-1912 - Gun making: Stocks: - French Walnut; pistol grip for rifles and big bore fowlers; straight grip for shotguns
-- 1828-1912: Gun making: Engraving:
. . . . .1820-1830’s – Vine & scroll
. . . . .1840-1850’s – Large English scroll
. . . . .1860-1870’s – Intricate rose & scroll
. . . . .1870-1900’s – Fine rose & scroll
. . . . .1840’s-1860’s – some wildlife
-- 1828-1912 - Gun making Barrels: - London proofed; 30” for center-break shotgUns 24”-28” for break-action rifles.
. . . . .1836-1847 - barrels bored by Reilly.
. . . . .1820-1865 – Damascus, Plain English Stub Twist
. . . . .1865-1912 – Damascus Crolle patterns and variations.
. . . . .1880-1912 – Marketing steel Whitworth barrels
-- 1837-1912 - Gun sales: - Reilly engraved and sold all types of handguns but did not serial number them.
-- 1828-1912 - SN’s: - Reilly only serial numbered guns he built.
-- 1850-1912 - Gun sales: - He engraved and marketed guns he finished in the white; he retailed other makers guns of all types - none serial numbered.
-- 1858-1900 - Gun sales: Accessories: Ammo: - Reilly began marketing his own pinfire cartridges late 1858 and continued to do so for 50 years.
-- 1859-1865 - Gun sales: Accessories: Blades: - Reilly made cutlery and bayonettes for a decade

-- 1860-1900 - Co. Organization: - Some Reilly shop foremen have been identified.

----------------------------- TOPICAL -------------------------------

Address
-- 1814–Aug 1835 - Address: - 12 Middle Row, High Holborn.
-- Aug 1835 - Address: - moved to 316 High Holborn.
-- Mar 1847 - Address: - moved to 502 New Oxford Street.
-- Aug 1858 - Address: - opened 315 Oxford Street manufactory "The Armoury"

Facilities
-- 1835–1847 - Address: Facilities: - He had a short indoor range at 316.
-- 1851-1890 - Address: Facilities: - 300 yard outdoor shooting/testing range.
-- 1858-1867 - Facilities: - 315 Oxford Street had a 50 yard indoor shooting gallery “on the premises”

Name Changes
-- 1814 – Dec 1847 - Name: - Joseph Charles Reilly or J.C. Reilly
-- Aug 1840 - Name Change: - From "J.C. Reilly" to "Reilly" in advertisements
-- Dec 1847 - Aug 1858 - Name Change: - "Reilly, Gun Maker"
-- Aug 1858 – Feb 1859 - Name Changes: - “Reilly & Co., Gun Makers
-- Feb 1859 - Aug 1860 - Name Changes: - “E.M Reilly & Co., Gun Makers
-- Aug 1860 – Apr 1861 - Name Changes: - “E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Manufacturer
-- post-March 1861 - Name Changes: - “E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Manufacturers

Labels
-- 1835-1847 - Label: - "Joseph Charles Reilly, Gun Maker, 316 High Holborn, Near Chancery Lane"
-- Mar 1847 - Label: - New label was used for a few months: Resembles the 316 Label
-- Dec 1847 - Label: - New label Dec 1847; "Reilly, Gun Maker", 502 New Oxford Street; Sketch of 502,
-- Jun 1856 - Label: "Reilly, Gun Maker," 502 New Oxford Street, "Fusils a Bascule"; "Improved Breech Loaders," Sketch of 502 and 1851,1855 medals.
-- Aug 1858 - Label: - 315 Oxford Street, The Manufactury – “Reilly, Gun Makers”, "Fusil a Bascule", Shooting gallery
— Feb 1859 - Label: - 502 New Oxford Street, “E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Makers”, Sketch of 502 and medals remain.
— Feb 1859 - Label: - 315 Oxford Street, Armoury House – “E.M. Reilly & Co., Gun Makers”
— Apr 1861 - Label: – 502 New Oxford Street, “E.M. Reilly & Co. Gun Manufacturers”; building sketch dropped; Reilly basic format label for the next 35 years.

SN’s
-- 1828-1912 - SN’s: - Reilly only serial numbered guns he built.
-- c1837 - SN's: - Pistols no longer serial numberedbut continued to assemble and engrave them
-- Apr 1847 - SN’s: - Mainline serial numbers jumped up 5000 numbers from about 3350 to 8350 with the move in 1847.
-- Jan 1846 - Sep 1857 - SN’s: - J.C. kept SN's for himself as early as January 1846,called the "7000" series 7000-8200 ending in 1857 with his retirement

Gun Making
-- c1828- Gun making: - Reilly began making his own guns in addition to dealing in quality used guns.
-- c1831- Gun making: - Making and selling guns in the white to country dealers
-- c1835- Gun making: - Possibly making and selling guns in the white to other London gunmakers.
-- 1828-1837 - Gun making: - He was a pistol maker as well as a long-gun maker
-- c1837 - SN's- Gun Making- He quit numbering pistols but continued to assemble and engrave them
-- c1840- Gun Making: Air guns: - Making air guns in the 1840's. E.M. was billed as the expert,
-- 1837-1847 - Gun making: - He was boring his own barrels as early as 1837.
-- 1850’s - Gun making: The company made custom guns and munitions for famous hunters and military heroes
-- 1855 - Gun making: Pinfires: Reilly began to developed pinfires.
-- 1856 - Gun making: Pinfires: Reilly began advertising and selling pinfires:Four Reilly pinfires from 1856-58 exist: 10054, 10128, 10355, and 10655. 10054 might be the earliest UK made pin-fire center-break gun in existence.
-- 1850’s - Gun Making: Percussion Military rifles: - Reilly built military muzzle loading rifles including Enfield Rifle-Musket and General Jacob’s Rifle.
-- 1855-1865 - Gun Making: Breech loader rifles: He also built breech loading rifles including Prince Patent and Terry’s Patent
-- 1861 - Gun making; - He claimed to be making every part of every gun and invited viewers
-- 1850-1912 - Gun making: - He made his own guns & guns under license from other makers using their patents
-- 1828-1912 - Gun making: Stocks: - French Walnut; pistol grip for rifles and big bore fowlers; straight grip for shotguns
-- 1828-1812: Gun making: Engraving:
. . . . .1820-1830’s – Vine & scroll
. . . . .1840-1850’s – Large English scroll
. . . . .1860-1870’s – Intricate rose & scroll
. . . . .1870-1900’s – Fine rose & scroll
. . . . .1840’s-1860’s – some engravings of dogs and wildlife
-- 1836-1912 - Gun making: Barrels: - London proofed; 30” for shotgUns 24”-28” for rifles.
. . . . .1836-1847 - Barrels bored by Reilly.
. . . . .1820-1865[ – Damascus, Plain English Stub Twist
. . . . .1865-1912 – Damascus Crolle patterns and variations.
. . . . .1880-1912 – Marketing steel Whitworth barrels

Gun Sales:
-- c1814-1912 - Gun Sales: - Reilly selling and engraving used guns taken in trade for jewelry.
-- c1837 - SN's-Gun Sales - He quit numbering pistols but continued to assemble and engrave them.
-- 1837-1912 - Gun sales: - Reilly engraved and sold all types of handguns but did not serial number them.
-- 1850-1912 - Gun sales: - He engraved and marketed guns he finished in the white; he retailed other makers guns of all types - none serial numbered.

========== Pause 5 - Review of principle points 1828-1861 ===========

======== *46 1861: Reilly manufacturing and sales: TEXT ==========

*46 1861: Reilly manufacturing and sales:

As the new decade of the 1860’s began and in the lead-up to the 1862 London Exposition, Reilly’s two workshops were busy. Reilly was making about 430 serial numbered guns a year, more than one a day, more than Boss, Purdey and Haris Holland combined. He had inceased his production by 30% after the spurt of orders received at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1855 and with the demand for pinfire center-break guns probably, even with the addition of 315, was hard put to satisfy it.

His reputation as a gun maker after the two trials and with the opening of 315 Oxford Street blossomed. A tacit endorsement by “The Field” quoted in Reilly ads probably helped.*46a

-- Guns under License: In addition to making his own percussion and center-break guns and various breech loading rifles, he began to make guns using patent use numbers from other gun makers (as mentioned in a previous chapter).

. . . . .1861: Dougall “Lockfast” patent:*46b In 1861 Reilly advertised guns using the Dougall “Lockfast” patent (Patent 1128, May 1860).*46b(1) Dougall licensed production of his patent to other gunmakers including Belgians; among them in UK were Benjamin Cogswell, W & J Rigby, E M Reilly and John Lyell of Aberdeen. *46b(2) According to Crudrington & Baker, an entry for payment by Reilly to Dougall for a patent use number exists demonstrating that Reilly likely made the gun.
. . . . . . . . . .There is one extant Reilly Lockfast, sold on Gunstar some years ago unfortunately without mention of its serial number.*46b(3) It probably has the Dougall Patent use stamp like known examples.*46b(4)
. . . . . . . . . .It resembles Dougall SN 2186 in the Royal Armouries.*46b(5)

. . . . .1861: “Double grip” - “Jones Underlever:*46c In 1861 Reilly mentioned for the first time in advertisements his manufacture of the “double grip” system.*46c(1) This was Greener’s description of the Jones underlever patented in 1859. The patent was released to the general public in January 1862. Assuming that the “double grip’ referred to in the 1861 advertisement is indeed a Jones underlever, Reilly would have had to pay royalties to someone. After the patent went public, the U-L became Reilly’s go-to action for his own guns;
. . . . . . . . .SN 11937: 1861. The first extant Reilly with a Jones U-L*46c(2): E.M. Reilly & Co., 502, New Oxford Street, London; 4 bore, Shotgun single barrel; U-L, non-rebounding hammer gun. (possibly converted from a percussion gun.)
. . . . . . . . .SN 12316: 1862.*46c(3) E.M. Reilly & Co., (address not mentioned). 14 bore, Shotgun SxS. pin-fire, U-L hammer gun, non-rebounding hammer, grip safety, extractor.
. . . . . . . . .SN 12527: 1862.*46c(4) E.M. Reilly & Co., (address not mentioned). 10 bore, Shotgun SxS. pin-fire (converted to C-F), U-L hammer gun, rebounding hammers (added).
. . . . . . . . .SN 33457: The last U-L so far photogaphed is 33457 (1890)*46c(5) E.M. Reilly & Co., 277, Oxford Street, London. 8 bore SxS Shotgun. U-L, hammer-gun; pistol grip.
There is a 10 bore 35012 – 1903 – no picture). Assuredly, though, if one wanted an U-L in 1911, Reilly would get if for you.

-- Developer of inventions: Various gunmakers and experimenters chose Reilly to develop and make their inventions:

. . . . .1859: Nuthall’s Patent:*46d In 1859 Major Nuthall’s patent rifle and ball were developed and built by Reilly per “The Field.”*46d(1) Nuthall rounded the rifling of the barrel to prevent fouling and this was found in a number of subsequent Reilly's. Reilly advertised using Nuthall’s Patent on his Enfield rifles:*46d(2). Reilly was one of two authorized manufacturers, the other been Turner.
. . . . . . . . . .While no Reilly Nuthall patent guns have been found, one made by Turner & Co. of Birmingham still exists. 31 ½ in. (80 cm.) barrel sighted to 1000 yards, marked 'MAJOR NUTHALL'S PATENT'; rounded groove, Birmingham proof marks:*46d(3)

. . . . .1861: .451 Enfield target rifle:*46e Reilly began making a .451 Enfield.*46e(1) which won marksmanship trophies according to a series of articles in “The Field.” Reilly was advertising “rounded off” rifling to reduce fouling (Nuthall Patent above).*46e(2). However the exact specifications of his match rifles are not clear other than the use of .451 elongated bullets and 5 groove rifling:
. . . . . . . . . .SN 1193712073[/color][/b], Reilly Enfield match rifle.*46e(3)

. . . . .1861: .451 Enfield experimental rifling: Writings in "The Field" from the era indicate extensive experiments with rifling were being conducted by everyone (this just a year after Henry filed his shallow groove rifling patent and after the Whitworth hexagonal .451 high velocity bullet made such an impact. One article referred to a rifling system with shallow groove rifling created by a Volunteer unit which Reilly was making.*46f

. . . . .1861: Capt. Scott's Patent Progressive Twist Rifling and bullet.*46g Reilly was sole manufacturer.

. . . . .1861: General Ray's Pattern Brigade Rifle with elongated bullet.*46h

. . . . .1861: Cape Guns:*46i Reilly was one of the first to advertise “Cape Guns” (Jun 1861).*46i(1) The earliest extant serial numbered Reilly cape guns are SN 12207 from late 1861, E.M Reilly & Co., 15 ga/.488 cal percussion gun and from early 1862 SN 12251 - E.M. Reilly & Co., Oxford Street, London; SxS Cape rifle .25 bore/.500 cal; percussion hammer gun.*46i(2).

. . . . .1861: Bastin Lepage sliding action:*46j He also advertised a sliding action which was certainly Bastin Lepage. A number of London gunmakers at the time were using it. Purdey made 27 Bastin action guns; Durs Egg, Lylell, and others as well. (No extant Reilly Bastin action exists).

-- Retail display: Others chose Reilly’s retail shops to display their new inventions. An example is “The Field” itself; In 1861 ”The Field” decided to market a screw-on action for an Enfield which could act as both a breech loader and a muzzle loader.*46k. It was displayed at Reilly 's.

-- Auction sales: He sold off massive amounts of surplus guns, for instance auctioning 1,500 Enfields in 1861.*46l

-- Dog dealer? And oddly enough there are four advertisements over the course of 40 years for hunting dogs being sold by individuals, details to be obtained from Reilly's business. Whether Reilly himself was involve in selling dogs or whether he was just a clearing house of sorts is unknown.*46m

By 1861 Reilly’ had become known as a gun manufacturer who could get innovative projects made. It appears he rarely said, “No,” to an idea. (It is hard to imagine a gun maker such as Purdey being open to itinerant gun experimenters' concepts). His manufacturing of military rifles such as the Enfield, Jacob’s rifle, Terry Patent breech loader, and Prince patent breech loader, and his selection to make explosive bullets for Baker and Jacob, cutting edge technology at the time, only increased his reputation for seeking out innovations.

Again, Reilly was not an inventor himself; he was a business man. But he had an eye for what might sell. He more resembled the art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel, who funded the Impressionists. Reilly now had bigger things in mind, to wit a military contract using his reputation as a gun manufacturer. But first he was carefully planning his upcoming exhibit at the 1862 London Universal Exposition.

======= *46 1861: Reilly manufacturing and sales: END TEXT ========

======== *46 1861: Reilly manufacturing and sales: FOOTNOTES =========

*46 1861: Reilly manufacturing and sales:

. . . . . *46a Reilly promoted by a “The Field” article:
. . . . . . . . . .16 Oct 1858, “The Field”:

. . . . . . . . . .16 Mar 1858, Bell’s “Life”


. . . . .*46b Dougall 1860 “Lockfast” patent:
. . . . . . . . . .*46b(1) Advertisement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 June 1861, “The Field”

. . . . . . . . . .*46b(2) Dougall licensed production: TRW999 from IGC; Note: Internet Gun Club does not source their information for public consumption.
. . . . . . . . . .*46b(3) Gunstar Reilly Lockfast

. . . . . . . . . .*46b(4) Example of Dougall Patent License (Daryl Hollquist)

[/IMG][/URL]
. . . . . . . . . .*46b(5) Royal Armouries Reilly Lockfast:


. . . . .*46c 1861 “double grip”:
. . . . . . . . . .**46c(1) 1st Advertisement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 June 1861, “The Field”

. . . . . . . . . .*46c(2) 11837 (Photo Holts) (this is possible originally a percussion gun converted to U-L)

. . . . . . . . . .*46c(3) 12316 No photo

. . . . . . . . . .*46c(4) 12527 (converted to C-F)


=== *46 1861: Reilly manufacturing and sales: FOOTNOTES CONT BELOW ==

======= *46 1861: Reilly manufacturing and sales: FOOTNOTES CONT ========

. . . . . . . . . .*46c(5) 33457 (photo Holts)


. . . . . *46d 1859: Nuthall’s Patent:

. . . . .*46d(1) Nuthall articles
. . . . . . . . . .11 Jun 1859 "The Field": Reilly building Maj. Nuthall's patent gun:

. . . . . . . . . .10 Sep 1859 Volunteer Services Gazette



. . . . .*46d(2) Nuthall rifling advertised by Reilly 1861


. . . . .*46d(3) Nuthall gun
. . . . . . . . . .Nuthall gun version made by Turner: THOMAS TURNER, FISHER ST., BIRMINGHAM, CIRCA 1860 - with 31 ½ in. (80 cm.) barrel sighted to 1000 yards, marked 'MAJOR NUTHALL'S PATENT' and with rounded groove rifling (Patent 1167, 10 May 1859), Birmingham proof marks:


. . . . .*46e .451 Enfield target rifle:
. . . . . . . . . .*46e(1) 1st ad
. . . . . . . . . . . .07 Sep 1861, The Field: Report on the Whitworth – Reilly made his own .451 rifle:

. . . . . . . . . .*46e(2) Results of Reilly’s .451.
. . . . . . . . . . . .30 Mar 1861, Volunteer Services Gazette: Reilly Match Rifle results

. . . . . . . . . .*46e(1) SN 12073, Reilly Match Rifle.


. . . . .*46f .451 Enfield experimental rifling:
. . . . . . . . . .14 Sep 1861 Volunteer Services Gazette - Rifling


======== *46 1861: Reilly manufacturing and sales: END FOOTNOTES =========

======= *46 1861: Reilly manufacturing and sales: FOOTNOTES CONT ========

. . . . .*46g Capt. Scott's Patent Progressive Twist Rifling and bullet;
. . . . . . . . . .13 Feb 1861, “Sporting Life”


. . . . .*46h General Ray's Pattern Brigade Rifle with elongated bullet; *30m
. . . . . . . . . .13 Feb 1861, “Sporting Life”

. . . . . . . . . .29 Feb 1861, "Sporting Life"


. . . . .*46i Cape Guns:
. . . . . . . . . .*46i(1) 20 June 1861, "Sporting Life"

. . . . . . . . . .*46i(2) SN 12207

. . . . . . . . . .*46i(2) SN 12251


. . . . .*46j Purdey Bastin Action (Holts Photo):


. . . . .*46k The Field” screw-on action for and Enfield turning it into a breech loader or muzle loader:
. . . . . . . . . .16 May 1861, “The Field”


. . . . .*46l 1,500 Surplus Enfields auctioned by Reilly:
. . . . . . . . . .24 Mar 1861, “Bell’s Life”


======= *46 1861: Reilly manufacturing and sales: END FOOTNOTES ========

====== *47 1862: Reilly and the 1862 London exposition: TEXT ======

*47 1862: Reilly and the 1862 London exposition:

In 1862 Reilly showed at the London International exposition.*47a Reilly placed great store in publicity from such fairs for his two workshops and carefully planned his exhibit. Just about every gun maker of consequence in the UK were there with UK gunmakers showing marked improvements in their inventiveness over 1851 but with still a way to go to match French barrel decoration and Liège prices.

For a thorough review of the gun exhibits and the status of UK gun making at the time see the section on guns written by John Rigby in "The Record of the International Exhibition," published in 1862 (Glasgow, W. MacKenzie publishers). (As an interesting sidelight which will be commented on in a future chapter, center-fire inventions attracted attention. Lancaster's and Daw's systems were most commented on; Rigby preferred Lancaster's but the press seemed to prefer Daw. This was prescient).

Reilly had a large exhibit which showed the guns mentioned in ads above, cape guns, breech loading double-bite pinfires, Dougall patent, muzzle-loaders with Brazier locks as an (expensive) option, revolvers, etc.*47b and apparently showed his own improvements in the pinfires.*47c J.D. Dougall won the overall Gold Medal. Reilly won a sort of “honorable mention” medal which had to be disappointing. It may be that the judges were more engineering minded in their approach in this fair and were looking at workable innovations.

As mentioned before, his careful marketing planning was evident; He was lauded for the intelligent young man who attended his exhibit to explain the guns and take orders (in marked contrast to Lang).*47d Per newspaper accounts he also displayed a gold washed 12 bore muzzle-loader shotgun*47e which may still exist (SN 12532).*47f SN 12532 is housed in a case with the Prince of Wales feathers on it; it was bought to be given as a gift, possibly to an Indian Rajah; This may be one of the reasons why Reilly tried to claim to be a gun maker to the Royal Family the following spring.

====== *47 1862: Reilly and the 1862 London exposition: END TEXT ===

===== *47 1862: Reilly and the 1862 London exposition: FOOTNOTES ====

*47 Reilly and the 1862 London exposition

. . . . .*47a 1862 Exposition


. . . . .*47b Reilly Exhibit - Note the gauges of the shells illustrated - 12,15,17,24,36.



. . . . .*47c Reilly Exhibit, improvements to pinfires
. . . . . . . . . .07 May 1862, St, James Chronicle


. . . . .*47d Mr. Macnamara, intelligent assistant.


. . . . .*47e Gold washed Muzzle Loader:
. . . . . . . . . .17 Sep 1862, “Bradshaw Guide”


. . . . .*47f SN 12532


=== *47 1862: Reilly and the 1862 London exposition: END FOOTNOTES ==

=== *48 1863: Attempts to Curry Favor with the British Royal Family: TEXT ===

*48 1863: Attempts to Curry Favor with the British Royal Family:

Throughout the 1860's Reilly guns were purchased by various members of the British royal family, usually to give as gifts to foreign dignitaries or persons who had done favors for the family. This included guns bought by Prince Albert Edward (Later King Edward VII).*48a and his younger brother Prince Alfred (later Duke of Saxe Coberg).*48b Reilly tried to obtain, but without success, a Royal Warrant as "Gun Maker to the Royal Family."

For a few months in 1863 Reilly published advertisements associating himself with the Royal Family based apparently on these royal purchases of Reilly guns. He also spent hundreds of pounds on elaborate gas light decorations to his buildings on the wedding of the Prince*48c and on various Royal anniversaries.*48d He apparently was slapped down pretty quickly and after November 1863, such claims never again surfaced.

Note: The Reilly’s were Irish Catholic. E.M. at least appears to have been involved with the church*48e and to have campaigned against religious discrimination against Catholics in UK.*48f Whether this influenced his ability to obtain a “Royal Warrant” in a very Anglican anti-Catholic England at the time or even to win a contract with Arsenal is problematic.

== *48 1863: Attempts to Curry Favor with the British Royal Family: END TEXT ==

== *48 1863: Currying Favor with the British Royal Family: FOOTNOTES ==

*48 1863: Attempts to Curry Favor with the British Royal Family:

. . . . .*48a Prince Albert Edward (Prince of Wales) in 1862, later Edward VII in May 1862 after his tour. He purchased the Reilly gold percussion gun at the London Exposition:

. . . . . . . . . .*48a(2) SN 12532


. . . . .*48b Picture of Prince Alfred: Prince Alfred in 1862:

. . . . . . . . . .*48b(2) This article refers to Prince Alfred giving a Reilly in South Africa.

. . . . . . . . . .*48b(3): Prince Alfred gave a gold washed Reilly as a gift in India during his visit in 1870 - much commented on in the April 1870 press:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 April 1870 "Homeward Bound"


. . . . .*48c March 1863 celebrations for the marriage of the Prince of Wales:
. . . . . . . . . .11 Mar 1863,"London Daily News" (The whole London press was filled up with pages of reports on the illumination of the city in celebration) - Reilly advertised as "Gun-makers to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales":

. . . . . . . . . .16 Mar 1863, London Daily News:


. . . . .*48d: November 1863 celebrations for marriage of Princess Ann
. . . . . . . . . .10 November 1863 edition of the "London Evening News" advertising himself as "Gun Maker to the Royal Family":


. . . . .*48e Reilly donates to the Church
. . . . . . . . . .22 Nov 1844, Morning Chronicle:


. . . . .*48f EM involved in promoting tolerance for Catholics.
. . . . . . . . . .04 Dec 1847, The Tablet:


= *48 1863: Currying Favor with the British Royal Family: END FOOTNOTES =