-- Do you believe he provided 4 center-break pinfire guns to "The Field" for the two trials in 1858 and 1859?
. . . . .-- If so do you think "The Field" would have let him submit other gunmakers' guns for the trials?
. . . . .-- Do you think the other gunmakers at the test would have allowed this?
. . . . .-- If you believe he submitted others' guns for the test, whose were they?

Gene Williams
Nouakchott[/quote]

Gene,

I hope that it is uncontroversial and accepted that although Holland and Holland always styled themselves “Gunmakers” that almost everything they , and H. Holland before them, sold before they opened their factory in the 1890’s was made for them in the trade. The shotguns mostly by W.C. Scott.

Purdey was a gunmaker from the get go, but no doubt bought in barrels, locks and furniture from specialist out workers.

Reilly, by having his name put on a gun, was effectively standing by its quality.

No one would have objected, because whether or not he had any part in the making of the gun he was doing much the same as everyone else in the trade.

The answer to your first 3 questions is “Yes”.

In the sad absence of Reilly’s records we shall never know the answer to your last question unless an individual gun, when stripped down, reveals an action maker’s mark and even then was it bought in as a complete gun or a parts set?

Easter Greetings,

Parabola