Help IDing some British and European firearms

RDGAC · 6th October 2010, 06:40 PM

Salutations everyone, been a bit busy once more (hence my posts dropping off to zero) - rest assured I am still kicking around, though, and working steadily on my jezail. Anyway, I've decided (in my infinite wisdom) to help out the other side a bit by having a look at some of their firearms, about which they know very little. The more modern ones are generally quite easy (for instance, a rather nice Gras M. 1874 carbine with M.80 modifications, which I found earlier today), but the early 19th century and earlier weapons are rather less so and my available resources are rather poor. Luckily, I have this place, which very much helps in making up the deficit!

I'm currently having a look at two pistols which have lain, evidently unlooked-at for some while, in their case; rather pretty specimens they are, too. However, I've hit a snag: I have nearly no information on English gunsmiths (it being safe to assume that these pieces are English/British, it seems) and am trying to identify the makers in order to establish the age of both. One I would tentatively place in the early 19th Century (Napoleonic period at a guess) and seems to bear the name "Richards" on its lockplate; the other look (to my ill-educated eye at least) to be older, perhaps 18th century, and carries the faded but still visible name "Bayley". I'd appreciate any handy suggestions for reference books!

6th October 2010, 06:40 PM	#1
RDGAC Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: York, UK Posts: 167	Help IDing some British and European firearms Salutations everyone, been a bit busy once more (hence my posts dropping off to zero) - rest assured I am still kicking around, though, and working steadily on my jezail. Anyway, I've decided (in my infinite wisdom) to help out the other side a bit by having a look at some of their firearms, about which they know very little. The more modern ones are generally quite easy (for instance, a rather nice Gras M. 1874 carbine with M.80 modifications, which I found earlier today), but the early 19th century and earlier weapons are rather less so and my available resources are rather poor. Luckily, I have this place, which very much helps in making up the deficit! I'm currently having a look at two pistols which have lain, evidently unlooked-at for some while, in their case; rather pretty specimens they are, too. However, I've hit a snag: I have nearly no information on English gunsmiths (it being safe to assume that these pieces are English/British, it seems) and am trying to identify the makers in order to establish the age of both. One I would tentatively place in the early 19th Century (Napoleonic period at a guess) and seems to bear the name "Richards" on its lockplate; the other look (to my ill-educated eye at least) to be older, perhaps 18th century, and carries the faded but still visible name "Bayley". I'd appreciate any handy suggestions for reference books!