This sounds like a reasonable explantion. A similar scenario took place in the UK and Europe. Many of the well-known English cameras of the 1880's 1890's bear an uncanny resemblance to each other - including some that are known not to have made their wood cameras. The German/French tailboards are also very similar - with lots of no-name or shop seller names amongst them.
I haven't seen any very early lister of metal parts - but I have one from 1927. This shows parts available for the typical European Tailback (for sizes 13x18 and 18x24cm). There was a considerable reduction for complete sets.
These parts are no longer available from the supplier
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