This is a very unique single shot cane air rifle made by 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". Circa 1850 to 1870 the business took part in breechloader vs. muzzleloader trials and placed rather well. They produced rifles on the C.E. Green and Green patent, sold James Dougal breechloaders under license and were known to sell self cocking Tranter revolvers on Adams Patent and utilizing the Tranter's rammer. In 1857 father and son parted company and Edward continued to make guns into the 1870s, during which time the business specialized in ornate, gold engraved weapons. In 1869 Reilly was granted a patent for an exploding bullet for long-range use against artillery ammunition wagons. This cane rifle consists of two parts painted black enamel which measures just under 38 inches including the screw on horn handle. The center joint ring is marked "REILLY 316 HOLBORN LONDON IMPROVED". The pump is screwed onto the upper portion to fill the chamber with air. The pump consists of an iron tube with brass ends and a screw on iron handle for the pump. The tube is marked "J.C. REILLY 316 HIGH HOLBORN LONDON". The lower portion of the cane houses the breech and firing mechanism. After the chamber is "pumped up", the two pieces are screwed together and the muzzle end has a brass tip which screws off and the attached wooden barrel plug comes out. The breech is opened by a sliding lever and is loaded with a round bullet through a round hole on top of the shaft. A key is then used to cock it and a small post "trigger" pops out of the side. The trigger is simply pushed to fire the rifle. The barrel is rifled and gauges at 38 caliber. It is equipped with a small blade front and notched rear sights. Complete in a wooden case with a paper label on the lid which reads "From D. WALES/GUN RIFLE MAKER" at the top, unreadable script in the center and "21 Northgate Street, C1 Yurmouth" at the bottom. The interior is green felt lined and has 6 compartments.

Very fine. The rifle retains most of the original black enamel finish with an area on the lower portion with some scratches and chipped finish, an area at the breech with a few minor chips and overall a few minor nicks and scratches. The pump cylinder retains 60% of the faded damascus brown. The brass components have an aged patina. The handle is excellent. The markings remain clear and crisp. The mechanics are fine. The case is good with scattered minor dings and scratches. The lock is a replacement and the lining is very good with a couple minor tears and a portion of the felt in the lid has been glued down.