I have had three Wilkes rifles and my partner has one presently. T hey recently went out of business as one of the Brothers, John? had cancer. The two brothers were son's of the original John Wilkes and are quite elderly.

I have been to the old shop a few times quite enjoyed a 'real 'gunmakers shop. Piles of barrels, etc everywhere. recently they did mostly repairs I believe and rechambrings.

Their rifles are first rate and I would put them in the same class as Evans and Westley Richards..

Here's the target for the Wilkes.

]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/Gatorator/Gators%20Pictures/470Wilkes.jpg[/image]

The 475#2 is my 'Ultimate' cartridge. The plunk the cartridges make going into the barrel are the best of any Double.