Dang, this is getting interesting - really enjoy seeing this kind of info, etc. :cool:

From another Damon Mills listing:

"Thomas Bailey was active in New Orleans from the early 1850's until 1863. After New Orleans fell to the North during the Civil War, he immigrated to England and never returned. I guess he gave up on America and left, like some of us might like to do now."

I also found a historical listing of gunsmiths in New Orleans. They list Thomas Bailey as active from 1853-1861 and 1879-1884 and noted he was in London in between.

So I have a pretty good idea of where and who made it and a possible 30 year period it could have been made in.


Edit- LittleGator looks like we were on the same pages this morning! I saw that listing with the address as well. I will try to research the address. It would be interesting to know what is there now and if the building still exists.

Not to side track the research / info side of the thread but, from those couple of pics that piece looks to be in very nice shape, would love to see some additional detail pics of it when/if possible .... very cool indeed !! ;)

160 Chartres, New Orleans, La Is the address listed. Looks like it was just off Canal street. It also looks like it is now a parking garage possibly for a hotel. However the garage is a cross the street from a jazz club that looks exactly how I was picturing architecture from the era.

Found another reference to Thomas Bailey (apparently residing at the time (1871) in Birmingham, County of Warwick, England). The entry deals with his patent No.: 1789. It reads:

THOMAS BAILEY of Birmingham in the County of Warwich, Gun Maker. No. 1789, July 8, 1871. Nine pages of specifications and two sheets of drawings of an underlever, hammerless single shot rifle with straight chamber.

Found it here: http://www.armorypub.com/images/catalogs/catalogs.htm

Love a good mystery. Interesting stuff!