Looks like prima-facie evidence based on 3 guns shows Reilly was indeed one of only (now) three London gun makers stamping bore sizes on their guns prior to the 1855 UK ordinance requiring it (the other two being Greener and Manton). This is history!!:

Terry has gotten the barrel off his "6 bore" posted above. It is indeed SN 4573 - an "outlier" which I've dated to 1844 for a variety of reasons (I'm starting to think JC may have had still another number series - 4573, 5512, have at least the semblance of some order - but need a lot more evidence). There is a "7" on that massive barrel which is either bore size or preliminary bore size:


5512 firmly dated to 1847 has "16":


and Harry's 7869 firmly dated to 1855 (the year the provision became active).


2008 - J.C. Reilly labeled gun which I preliminarily dated 1856 per above - but could well be 1851 to 1855 in light of the new understanding that Reilly was stamping bore sizes on his guns from at least the early 1840's.


There are about 20 pre-1855 extant Reilly's. They are pictured above. Would appreciate the owners checking their proof marks. Thanks.

Last edited by Argo44; 10/04/19 11:56 PM.
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