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!