Steve, many thanks for that educational tour d'force. I hope you write your own book...and soon.

The New Zealand gentleman has had the lock plates off and hasn't reported a signature. I'm not sure if he's had the stock off...but for now, I'll assume that Hodges did not make the action. Given the paucity of firms making pin-fire breech loaders at the time, the presumption will remain that it is a Reilly-made product...until proven otherwise.

I was going to go to Paris after Thanksgiving with spouse. I thought I might spend a bit of time in the Mitterand library there hoping to find some information on Reilly's exhibit in the 1855 Universelle...but a general strike is scheduled for that time, the "Gilet Jaune" are in the streets, and I've cancelled the trip.

Last edited by Argo44; 11/16/19 11:19 PM.
Baluch are not Brahui, Brahui are Baluch