Quote Originally Posted by greenwayjames View Post
I have always thought the gem pattern was of foreign make due to its use of defintitely metric sized bits. Just guesswork but could the definitely way oversized .177" rifled barrels be as a result of them starting life as .177" smoothbores. L&J used to do the same with Militas and get them rifled in the trade in Brum as did others. There was little or no distinction between gunmakers and retailers.
Hi Greenwayjames,

Can't remember where I read it but I think the possibility that the earliest/first model Brits were made abroad has been raised before...as you say, there does seem to be a few pointers to indicate that it is a distinct possibility anyway