Thanks for that valuable info, lancaster.
Simplex dies were always Bill Marden, but apparently the business was started by his father Eric before my time.

Nice account of Simplex history here BTW.

BUT...
I have a lead to run down as a result of a chance conversation at the pistol club last evening. A fellow shooter believes a local pistol-smith may have been the actual "inventor" of the .38-45 JWH when living in Victoria at the time! Can you believe it?!

If true, I should be able to get the full story from the horse's mouth. How cool is that!

...and John, "Those who choose to forget the past are condemned to repeat it.”
George Santayana, The Life of Reason, 1905.
But I agree with your sentiment on JWH's longevity.