A Very Rare Exhibition Pair of Air Canes by Reilly in Rosewood and Mother of Pearl Inlayed Case. Each cane lacquered to simulate bamboo, each engraved REILLY NEW OXFORD ST LONDON IMPROVED around the join, bun-shaped horn terminals, each foot with threaded brass cap, pivoting breech loading mechanism with button triggers and notch sights, contained in their original mother of pearl inlaid rosewood case, lined with green baize the inside of the lid with large maker's trade label, complete with signed browned pumps with threaded feet, bullet mould etc.
Circa 1855.
In fine condition, high quality case with minor restoration
Possibly made for the Exposition Universelle des produits de l'Agriculture, de l'Industrie et des Beaux-Arts de Paris 1855. Where Reilly won a Prize Medal.
J.C. Reilly of London. Joseph Charles Reilly was in business as a Jeweler in 1816 at 12 Middle Row, Holborn. London. In 1835 he was doing business as a gunmaker at 316 High Holborn, London, until 1847 when his son Edward Michael joined him in business, and moving to 502 Oxford Street, London in 1848. In 1850 the company specialized in air guns that could produce a pressure of just under 500 pounds per square inch using the direct stroke pump of the time. Edward exhibited air guns at the Great exhibition in 1851 and was "overdone with orders".