542 |
A 140 BORE NORTH EUROPEAN WHEEL-LOCK BIRDING RIFLE, CIRCA 1640 with swamped octagonal sighted barrel rifled with eight grooves, flat lock-plate engraved with naïve scrolls of foliage, fitted with internal wheel with raised cover, sliding pan-cover with button release (finial missing), pierced engraved dog, fruitwood full stock incised with scrolls opposite the lock, and over the butt, the latter with patchbox underneath fitted with sliding cover, and steel mounts comprising trigger-guard, butt-plate, fore-end cap and ramrod channel reinforce (later ramrod, the stock with minor repairs), and a later wheel-lock key 75.5cm; 29 3/4in barrel £800-1000 | 5% |
|
1300 |
| 543 | A 25 BORE GERMAN WHEEL-LOCK RIFLED SPORTING CARBINE, CIRCA 1700 with swamped octagonal sighted barrel rifled with six grooves and engraved with a band over the breech, flat lock fitted with internal wheel, raised wheel-cover pierced with a slipped trefoil, flash-guard, sliding pan-cover and dog with flash-shield, double set trigger, figured walnut full stock carved with scrolls in relief about the barrel tang, and over the butt, the latter with cheek-piece inset with an engraved staghorn rosette plaque, patchbox with sliding fluted cover, steel trigger-guard shaped for the fingers, engraved staghorn ramrod-pipe, engraved staghorn fore-end cap, and ramrod with engraved staghorn tip 73cm; 28 3/4in £750-900 | 5% |
|
1100 |
| 544 | A RARE 25 BORE TYROLEAN PERCUSSION BACK-STRIKING RIFLE BY IOH GLO MUR IN BOZEN, CIRCA 1760-80 converted from flintlock, with swamped octagonal barrel rifled with six grooves, signed over the breech and stamped with a brass-lined barrelsmith's mark (worn), scroll-engraved lock of late wheel-lock form signed 'I. H. In S. Lorenz' within a scrollwork cartouche, figured walnut full stock carved with scrollwork about the breech and behind the rear ramrod-pipe, the butt with cheek-piece inlaid with a small star in contrasting pieces of horn, carved with a brass-lined hollow for the thumb on the spine, and carved with scrolling foliage and flowers above the patchbox, the latter fitted with sliding cover veneered in brass and horn, brass mounts including robust trigger-guard shaped for the fingers, and side-plate of shaped outline (fore-end cap missing, later ramrod) 86.3cm; 34in barrel Rifles with locks of this form were popular in the Tyrol and the Alpine regions of Bavaria. The town of Bozen or Bolzano is in present day Italy 70 miles south of Innsbruck. £600-800 | 5% |
|
700 |
| 545 | A .650 CALIBRE 1800/15 PATTERN BAKER FLINTLOCK RIFLE with sighted 30in barrel stamped with Ordnance marks at the breech, rifled with seven grooves and with provision for a socket bayonet, bevelled lock stamped with 'GR' crowned, 'Tower' and with Ordnance mark, regulation walnut stock stamped with broad arrow and 'BO' behind the lock, raised cheek-piece, regulation brass mounts, steel sling swivels, and original steel ramrod 76.8cm; 30 1/4in barrel For a discussion of the Baker rifle and its adaptation for use with a socket bayonet see D. W. Bailey 2002, pp.129-131. £3000-4000 | 5% |
|
6000 |
| 546 | A .52 CALIBRE U. S. CONTRACT MODEL 1819 HALL PATENT BREECH-LOADING FLINTLOCK RIFLE BY SIMEON NORTH, CONNECTICUT, DATED 1833 of standard production specifications, with rifled barrel stamped 'N. W. P' at the breech, blackened walnut stock (repaired behind the breech), and steel ramrod, perhaps the original 83.2cm; 33 3/4in barrel £800-1000 | 5% |
|
800 |
| 547 | A .650 CALIBRE NEW LAND PATTERN FLINTLOCK CADET'S CARBINE, EARLY 19TH CENTURY with 34in barrel struck with Georgian and Victorian Ordnance marks, the lock engraved with 'VR' crowned, 'Tower' and with ordnance mark, the stock with regulation brass mounts including shield-shaped escutcheon and the butt-plate engraved C49, and with its steel ramrod (stock bruised, sling swivels missing) 86.3cm; 34in barrel £700-900 | 5% |
|
1300 |
| 548 | A .750 CALIBRE FLINTLOCK CADET'S MUSKET, EARLY 19TH CENTURY with 34in barrel (shortened) stamped with the letters 'I. A. B.', London view and proof marks at the breech (tang chipped), regulation lock stamped with 'G.R.' crowned, 'Tower' and with Ordnance mark, walnut full stock, and regulation brass mounts including four ramrod-pipes (areas of wear, later ramrod) 86.7cm; 34 1/8in barrel £400-500 | 5% |
|
400 |
| 549 | A 20 BORE COMPOSITE FLINTLOCK TRADE GUN, EARLY 19TH CENTURY for the American market, with three-stage sighted barrel fitted with steel muzzle band, engraved breech tang, flush-fitting engraved flat lock signed by the importer 'Josh Golcher', walnut full stock (worn, chips), and engraved brass mounts including trigger-guard with foliate terminal, solid side-plate, escutcheon with crowned GR cypher, and butt-cap decorated with an exotic bird, and steel ramrod 106.8cm; 42in barrel £500-600 | 5% |
|
500 |
| 550 | A 60 BORE GERMAN BUTT RESERVOIR AIR GUN BY LEONARD CLEMITER, CIRCA 1760 with two-stage sighted barrel, engraved brass tang, rounded lock engraved with a scroll and signed on each side (worn), fitted with dummy flintlock mechanism (cock replaced), figured walnut full stock carved with a bouquet behind the tang and the rear ramrod-pipe, detachable butt with raised cheek-piece inlaid with a star in contrasting colours of bone and engraved brass mounts (worn throughout, repairs, ramrod missing) 95.8cm; 37 3/4in barrel £500-600 | 5% |
|
800 |
| 551 | A FINE 80 BORE AIR GUN BY GEORGE WALLIS, HULL, BIRMINGHAM SILVER HALLMARKS FOR 1777 with tapering barrel formed in two-stages, fitted with silver fore-sight and short back sight, finely engraved breech tang, signed stepped bevelled border-engraved lock fitted with transverse striker and external mainspring engraved en suite, double set trigger, figured walnut half-stock carved with a shell about the barrel tang (small cracks), the butt with patchbox fitted with sliding cover, silver mounts comprising pierced and engraved strapwork side-plate, vacant escutcheon incorporating a grotesque profile at the base, finely engraved long steel trigger-guard decorated with a bouquet on the bow and with acorn finial, butt-plate decorated with a further bouquet and border ornament, three steel ramrod-pipes, horn fore-end cap, and original steel-tipped ramrod 83.8cm; 33in barrel George Wallis was a distinguished gunmaker and antiquary whose own collection included several airguns which were almost certainly the origin for the transverse striker featured on the present gun. An almost identical gun is preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum, Acc. No. 992.64. George Wallis also assisted William Constable of Burton Constable Hall with the maintenance of his magnificent collection. See A. G. Credland 1978, pp.133-181 and D. H. L. Back and W. Keith Neal 1975 pp. 94-5. £2500-3500 | 5% |
|
2800 |
| 552 | A 32 BORE BUTT RESERVOIR AIRGUN BY BATE, LONDON, CIRCA 1770 with octagonal barrel fitted with brass bead fore-sight and folding leaf back-sight, inlaid with two gold lines and signed 'Bate London' on a gold scroll over the breech, brass action cover engraved with scrolls, garlands and a trophy-of-arms, bevelled lock engraved with foliage around the border, signed on an oval carried by a trophy of war and fitted with cocking lever, figured walnut half-stock (small repairs and chips around the lock, fore-end cracked), original leather-covered butt with threaded brass collar, engraved steel mounts comprising solid side-plate decorated with a trophy en suite with the lock, trigger-guard with a bouquet involving a classical urn on the bow and with an exotic bird on the terminal, a pair of ramrod-pipes, silver barrel bolt escutcheons, and engraved silver fore-end cap (ramrod missing) 78.7cm; 31in barrel Edward Bate is recorded at Brownlow Street, Long Acre between 1763-78 and Christchurch Brixton in 1800. He is noted for the production of airguns. £1500-2500 | 5% |
|
2600 |
| 553 | A .577 CALIBRE PERCUSSION 1856 PATTERN SHORT RIFLE, BIRMINGHAM PROOF MARKS, DATED 1859 of regulation specifications, the lock engraved with a crown, the date and retaining its nipple protector, the stock impressed 'W. & C. Scott' underneath the butt, steel ramrod, and retaining some early finish throughout 84cm; 33 1/8in barrel £500-600 | 5% |
|
700 |
| 554 | A .577 CALIBRE THREE BAND SNIDER-ENFIELD RIFLE, DATED 1864 the barrel fitted with calibrated ladder back-sight, breech-block stamped 'B. S. A. Co.', the lock stamped with 'V. R.' crowned, 'Enfield' and the date, walnut full stock and regulation brass mounts including butt-cap inscribed '9 312' (ramrod missing) 93.1cm; 35 3/4in barrel £350-400 | 5% |
|
450 |
| 555 | AN 80 BORE AMERICAN PERCUSSION TARGET RIFLE BY N. LEWIS, TROY, NEW YORK, CIRCA 1860 with signed octagonal rifled sighted barrel, recessed at the muzzle for loading and fitted with adjustable ladder back-sight (nipple missing), engraved slender breech tang with provision for an additional sight, flush-fitting border-engraved lock decorated with a thistle, figured walnut half-stock, brass mounts including small-side-plate, trigger-guard, butt-cap and patchbox with hinged cover, German silver fore-end cap, and associated horn-tipped ramrod 86cm; 33 7/8in barrel £400-600 | 5% |
|
500 |
| 556 | A .450 CALIBRE CANADIAN PERCUSSION TARGET RIFLE SIGNED MANTON, NO. 6075, CIRCA 1860 with tapering browned barrel retained by a blued band and struck with Victorian Ordnance mark, rifled with seven narrow grooves, fitted with adjustable fore-sight for windage, case-hardened breech, blued breech tang fitted with adjustable peep back-sight, signed flush-fitting scroll-engraved lock retained by a singe screw ahead of the hammer, figured walnut half-stock, engraved German trigger-guard, brass butt cap with a pronounced spur top and bottom, faceted steel ramrod-pipe, and original steel-tipped ramrod 68cm; 26 3/4in barrel £400-500 | 5% |
|
480 |
| 557 | A 50 BORE CANADIAN PERCUSSION RIFLE BY B. MILLS, CIRCA 1840 with two-stage barrel rifled with eight grooves, fitted with tunnel fore-sight, engraved case-hardened breech decorated with a flower, engraved case-hardened breech tang fitted with folding adjustable back-sight, signed border-engraved lock decorated with a landscape, figured walnut half-stock, engraved blued steel trigger-guard decorated with trophies, engraved butt-cap, and three ramrod-pipes, German silver fore-end cap, and brass-tipped ramrod, perhaps the original 66.2cm; 26 1/8in barrel B. Mills is recorded in Ontario, Canada, circa 1840. £600-800 | 5% |
|
550 |
| 558 | A RARE 16 BORE PERCUSSION CHILLINGHAM MUSKET RIFLE BY PURDEY, BIRMINGHAM PROOF MARKS, NO. 16, CIRCA 1832-33 with browned twist sighted barrel rifled with ten deep grooves, fitted with folding leaf back sight calibrated to 200 yards, case-hardened numbered breech and breech tang, the former with pierced platinum plug covered with a steel protective oval, signed flush-fitting lock, figured walnut full stock with raised cheek-piece, brass mounts of regulation type, comprising trigger-guard, butt-plate, three large moulded ramrod-pipes, and fore-end cap, original horn-tipped hickory ramrod, and retaining some original finish throughout (the sling swivels missing, one barrel bolt replaced, the stock with light bruising) 87cm; 34 1/4in barrel During the unrest of the third decade of the 19th Century the Earl of Tankerville commissioned 35 rifled muskets from Purdey to arm a small yeomanry to protect his estate at Chillingham Castle, Northumberland. It would appear that they were all finished by Purdey though many were made from component parts bought in 'in the white', such as the present example with its Birmingham proof marks. They were delivered in batches between two and eleven between February 1832 and June 1833 for a cost of £10 each. They are serial numbered in a different range from other Purdey firearms. See L. Patrick Unsworth 1996, pp. 106-7. £3000-4000 | 5% |
|
4000 |
| 559 | A FINE CASED 14 BORE D.B. PERCUSSION SPORTING RIFLE FOR 'IMPERIAL' CAPS BY SAMUEL & CHARLES SMITH, PRINCES STREET, LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON, NO. 6241 CIRCA 1855 with browned twist sixteen-sided barrels rifled with six broad flat grooves and signed in full on the top flat, fitted with blued steel fore-sight, and folding back-sight graduated to 200 yards, case-hardened breech signed within a platinum frame on a matted ground, platinum plugs, scroll-engraved case-hardened tang, scroll-engraved case-hardened locks, hammer engraved en suite, highly figured polished walnut half-stock (fore-end expertly repaired), chequered grip, engraved blued steel mounts comprising numbered butt-plate, trigger-guard and rear ramrod-pipe each decorated with scrolls, three further browned steel ramrod-pipes, a pair of eyes for sling swivels, silver barrel bolt escutcheons, and vacant silver escutcheon, original brass-tipped ramrod, and retaining much early finish throughout: in its original fitted oak case lined in green baize (small cracks, key escutcheons missing), the lid with flush-fitting brass carrying handle on the outside, the inside applied with trade label for circa 1830-45 (small tears) with an ink inscription, complete with some original accessories including two patent nipple keys, and bullet mould, and two further associated bullet moulds, powder-flask, oil bottle and cleaning rod 81.2cm; 32in barrels Samuel Smith was granted British Patent no. 5978 for his 'Imperial' percussion cap and nipple in 1830. £4000-5000 | 5% |
|
4000 |
| 560 | A FINE 15 BORE PERCUSSION SPORTING RIFLE FOR 'IMPERIAL' CAPS BY SAMUEL AND CHARLES SMITH, PRINCES STREET, LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON, NO. 4459, CIRCA 1831 with browned twist octagonal sighted barrel signed over the breech and rifled with nine grooves, fitted with blued folding back-sight, case-hardened numbered patent breech tang inlaid with two pairs of platinum lines, engraved bolster (the fence with one small chip), flush-fitting engraved case-hardened lock finely decorated with scrolling foliage and signed beneath a scroll on each side of the centre, fitted with blued bolt safety-catch, blued double set trigger, the rear trigger set into the trigger-guard, figured dark-stained walnut half-stock, chequered grip, engraved blued steel mounts, comprising trigger-guard and numbered butt-plate en suite with the lock, three ramrod-pipes, the rear blued, a pair of sling swivels, silver escutcheon engraved with the owners crest and initials, silver barrel bolt escutcheons and fore-end cap, and original ramrod with brass tip incorporating a powder-measure 61cm; 24in barrel £2500-3500 | 5% |
|
3200 |
| 561 | A 14 BORE PERCUSSION DOUBLE RIFLE BY JAMES MACGREGOR, PERTH, BIRMINGHAM PROOF MARKS, CIRCA 1840 with rebrowned twist sighted barrels rifled with twelve grooves, signed on the flat and fitted with back-sight of three folding leaves, scroll-engraved case-hardened breech fitted with platinum plugs, scroll-engraved case-hardened tang, signed engraved case-hardened back-action locks decorated with scrollwork, figured walnut half-stock, chequered grip, scroll-engraved steel mounts including trigger-guard with some early blued finish, butt-plate, rear ramrod-pipe, vacant white metal escutcheon, white metal barrel bolt escutcheons and original brass-tipped wooden ramrod 75.7cm; 29 3/4in barrels This maker is recorded at 64 George Street, Perth in 1837. £1200-1500 | 5% |
|
1200 |
| 562 | A FINE 14 BORE D.B. PERCUSSION SHOTGUN BY H. DICKINSON, 2 UNION ROW, MINORIES, LONDON, CIRCA 1860 with browned twist sighted barrels signed on the top rib, scroll-engraved case-hardened breeches inlaid with two gold lines and engraved with a raised panel of foliage on each side, platinum plugs, scroll-engraved grooved breech tang, scroll-engraved case-hardened flush fitting locks, faceted hammers decorated en suite, highly figured polished walnut half-stock cut with bold chequering over the fore-end and grip, scroll-engraved blued steel mounts comprising large oval trigger-guard and butt-plate, vacant silver shield-shaped escutcheon, engraved silver barrel bolt escutcheons, original ramrod with German silver tip, and retaining much original finish throughout 79cm; 31 1/8in barrels £700-900 | 5% |
|
1300 |
| 563 | A .650 CALIBRE VICTORIAN PERCUSSION CONSTABULARY CARBINE, DATED 1852 of regulation specifications, stamped with Ordnance marks at the breech, the lock with 'VR' crowned, 'Tower' and the date, retaining its original nipple protector and chain, and the stock stamped with ordnance mark, with sprung ramrod catch and steel ramrod 108.5cm; 42 3/4in £300-400 | 5% |
|
300 |
| 564 | A 14 BORE D.B. FRENCH PIN-FIRE SPORTING GUN BY DEVISME A PARIS, NO.1907, DATED 1862 with browned twist barrels signed in script on the top rib and fitted with silver fore-sight, inlaid with finely scrolling foliage and a pair of lines in silver at the breech, engraved tang, double bite action, finely chiselled with scrolling foliage enclosing stag vignettes and a river goddess, signed locks engraved en suite, highly figured walnut half stock, chequered grip, engraved steel mounts en suite with the action, comprising butt-cap and trigger-guard decorated with the gold-encrusted owner's initials 'J. R. C.' beneath a Spanish Baron's coronet, and retaining one sling swivel (the other missing) 75.2cm; 29 5/8in barrels £700-900 | 5% |
|
700 |
| 565 | A 20 BORE PERCUSSION SPORTING RIFLE BY FISHENDEN, TUNBRIDGE, BIRMINGHAM PROOF MARKS, CIRCA 1839 with browned twist octagonal sighted barrel inscribed 'Tunbridge', folding back-sight, engraved case-hardened breech inlaid with platinum lines, engraved slender tang, signed border-and scroll-engraved back-action lock, figured walnut half-stock, chequered grip, scroll-engraved steel mounts including blued trigger-guard, butt-plate, two moulded ramrod-pipes and two sling swivels, vacant white metal escutcheon, white metal fore-end cap, and original horn-tipped ramrod 76.2cm; 30in barrel See footnote to lot 529 £600-800 | 5% |
|
650 |
| 566 | A FLINTLOCK BLUNDERBUSS BY PERRY, LONDON, BIRMINGHAM PRIVATE PROOF AND LONDON PROOF MARKS, CIRCA 1780 with three-stage brass barrel belled at the muzzle, signed bevelled stepped lock fitted with bolt safety-catch (cock replaced), figured walnut full stock (fore-end cracked and chipped), brass mounts including slender side-plate. trigger-guard with stylised acorn finial, butt-plate with tang of shaped outline, and associated brass-tipped ramrod 76.5cm; 30 1/8in William 2 Perry is recorded in Birmingham circa 1776-88 and is known to have signed his guns 'London' and also to have used London assayed silver. £1000-1100 | 5% |
|
|
| 567 | A FLINTLOCK MAIL COACH BLUNDERBUSS BY H.W. MORTIMER, LONDON, GUNMAKER TO HIS MAJESTY, NO. 181, CIRCA 1799-1806 with signed brass barrel swelling towards the muzzle, stamped 'for His Majesty's Mail Coaches' around the muzzle (worn and illegible in parts), steel barrel tang, signed stepped bolted lock (cock and screw replaced), figured walnut full stock (chipped, cracks), brass mounts of regulation type including scrolling side-plate moulded in the centre, trigger-guard with bud-shaped finial, butt-plate with rounded tang, and retaining a portion of an early ramrod 73cm; 28 3/4in The standard arms carried by the mail coach guard was a blunderbuss and a pair of flintlock pistols. Under the instructions of the Mailcoach Superintendent the firearms were carried loaded and regularly cleaned and checked, which explains the condition of the majority of surviving examples. H.W. Mortimer is recorded receiving payment for pistols at regular intervals from April 1788 '....for firearms for the Mail Guards from 24-April 1790-5 January 1791 No. 131-10-0'. He is further recorded supplying pistols for the Horse Post in accounts of 2nd December 1803. See F. Wilkinson 2002, p. 120. £1000-1200 | 5% |
|
2800 |
| 568 | A FLINTLOCK BLUNDERBUSS SIGNED GARRETT, LONDON, CIRCA 1770 with steel barrel strongly belled at the muzzle, inscribed 'London' (worn) and moulded over the breech, engraved tang, boldly engraved rounded lock signed on a scroll, the cock engraved en suite, figured walnut full stock carved with a raised shell moulding about the barrel tang (small age cracks, the butt with light worm), engraved brass mounts including a pair of small washers for the side nails, butt-plate decorated with a bouquet on the tang, trigger-guard with acorn terminals and border-engraved vacant escutcheon, and horn-tipped wooden ramrod, perhaps the original 77.5cm; 30 1/2in £1000-1100 | 5% |
|
1000 |
| 569 | A FLINTLOCK BLUNDERBUSS SIGNED APPLEBY, LONDON, CIRCA 1800 with three-stage brass barrel belled at the muzzle and moulded over the median, engraved steel tang, signed stepped lock engraved with foliage and a trophy on the tail (worn, steel spring missing), figured walnut full stock, chequered grip, brass mounts comprising baluster trigger-guard engraved with a bouquet on the bow and with pineapple finial, butt-plate decorated with an exotic bird, and a pair of moulded ramrod pipes (one barrel bolt missing, later ramrod) 75cm; 29 1/2in £1000-1100 | 5% |
|
1100 |
| 570 | A FLINTLOCK BLUNDERBUSS, LONDON PROOF MARKS, CIRCA 1800 with brass barrel formed in three stages and tapering towards the muzzle, rounded lock of regulation type, figured walnut full stock (cracks, fore-end chipped), and brass mounts including flush-fitting side-plate (incomplete), trigger-guard with moulded finial, and butt-plate with tang of shaped outline (later ramrod) 74.8cm; 29 1/2in £800-900 | 5% |
|
800 |
| 571 | A FLINTLOCK BLUNDERBUSS BY W. STAPLES, EARLY 18TH CENTURY with associated brass barrel formed in four stages and stamped with barrelsmith's mark 'RW' for Richard 1 Wilson, signed engraved rounded lock, later walnut full stock, and brass trigger-guard (stock and trigger-guard with repairs, later ramrod) 81.2cm; 32in £600-800 | 5% |
|
600 |
