Help IDing some British and European firearms

fernando · 7th October 2010, 03:54 PM

Hi RDGAC. Are these the initials for "Research & Development Grants Advisory Committee" ? ... just kidding

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Very nice pistols.

Well, the only Bayley i find in comprehensive Boothroyds revised directory (ISBN 1-57157-157-4) can't be the one, as he has been in business between 1873-1898 (Thomas Bayley - Birmingham). This appears to be a bit late for flintlocks production and yours has indeed all signs to be late 18th/early 19th centuries... in my humble opinion.
Concerning the other name, the earliest Richard in this directory is Wiliam Richard, who founded his firm 1801 in London. This could (could) be your man.
Let's see if other members have further data on those two gunsmiths.
And by the way, try and make a close up picture of both lock plates, even if faded. I notice that the name "Bayley" has more letters (Bayleys Co?); these little details are often important to distinguish things.
Check also for proof marks on the barrels, near their breeches; British guns practicaly always have proof marks ...Birmingham, London, even both; this helps dating and confirms their origin. But i bet you know all about this

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7th October 2010, 03:54 PM	#5
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi RDGAC. Are these the initials for "Research & Development Grants Advisory Committee" ? ... just kidding . Very nice pistols. Well, the only Bayley i find in comprehensive Boothroyds revised directory (ISBN 1-57157-157-4) can't be the one, as he has been in business between 1873-1898 (Thomas Bayley - Birmingham). This appears to be a bit late for flintlocks production and yours has indeed all signs to be late 18th/early 19th centuries... in my humble opinion. Concerning the other name, the earliest Richard in this directory is Wiliam Richard, who founded his firm 1801 in London. This could (could) be your man. Let's see if other members have further data on those two gunsmiths. And by the way, try and make a close up picture of both lock plates, even if faded. I notice that the name "Bayley" has more letters (Bayleys Co?); these little details are often important to distinguish things. Check also for proof marks on the barrels, near their breeches; British guns practicaly always have proof marks ...Birmingham, London, even both; this helps dating and confirms their origin. But i bet you know all about this .