A Scarce In Line Percussion Pepperbox Revolver by Bailes of Ipswich. With fluted six-shot barrel block, decorated with a band of foliate engraving at the muzzle, stamped with Birmingham proofs at the breech, with unusual rounded action decorated with scrolling foliage throughout and signed, ‘BAILES IPSWICH COLCHESTER’  to the left and ‘IMPROVED CENTRAL FIRE’ to the right, scroll engraved trigger guard and slab sided walnut grips, with hinged butt trap. 

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Its action marked ‘Improved Central Fire’ mirrors Joseph Rock Cooper’s patent number 8347 of 21 January 1840. Its in-line hammer assisted its users to aim at a target in comparison with the commonly encountered bar hammer pepperbox which totally obscured the user’s view along the barrel.

BAILES

George W. Bailes of Ipswich, Suffolk, was an English gun and bow maker and was listed in Tavern Street, Colchester in 1838 and at 15 Cornhill, Colchester in 1845–70.  The 1848 White's Gazette for Ipswich revealed that G. W. Bailes a Gunmaker had premises at 150 High Street whilst the 1870 Kelly's Directory stated that he was still working at this same address

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