Hi guys,

been away for a while... Some of You may remember me. A little more than a year ago I started at first a thread on 16 bore Rodda double, and then also this one.

I got a new job in May 2007 and then I put aside e.g. the writing of the article on this Rodda DR etc. Now I'm back and trying to get a hold of all the material I've gathered.

As you may quess from the old messages above, the most crucial question on this rifle is about the actual manufacturer. In the course of my examination I've collected various indications/suggestions that through the years Rodda firearms may have been made by W & C Scott, Webley & Scott, J & W Tolley, Gogswell & Harrison, Purdey and Rodda itself. At least Scott and Webley & Scott have actually made Roddas, but others are mere assumptions.

When examining the Purdey possibility, I wrote to one renowned British historian and gunwriter and asked his opinion about this isuue. Of course I attached a good selection of photos on the general appearance of the gun + pics on the proof stamps.

He sentenced that "Purdey made no guns or rifles for the trade and their A, B, C, D and E quality guns and rifles were all made in Birmingham. This Rodda rifle would have been made in Birmingham, who by is impossible to know."

Problem is that this particular Rodda 16-bore carries stamps by London Proof House.

Todays' question number 1) Is it possible, or, has it ever happened that firearms made in B:ham could have been proofed in London Proof House?

If no, then out of the list above it can only be G&H or Purdey, because all the others in the list - that includes Rodda, too - were Birmingham gunmakers. Also it seems improbable that a particular firearm would have been made in Birmingham, then proofed in London, and the shipped back to Rodda & Co in Birmingham.

Todays' question number 2) Given that this rifle dates to the late 1870s, do you have any good candidates among London gunmakers besides those two mentioned?

Looking forward to your input.

Regards,
Saku