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LOT 555
Rare G.E. Lewis 8 Bore Single Barrel Jones Patent Rotary Underlever Dangerous Game Hammer Rifle - Serial no. 8108, 8 Bore cal., 29 inch solid rib bbl., blued/casehardened finish, checkered walnut stock. Manufactured in circa 1889, this 8 bore dangerous game rifle was the ultimate man-portable stopping power and had the ability to take any game on the planet, from tiger in the jungles of India to elephant and rhinoceros on the African plains. Very heavy octagonal to
round barrel with broad matted raised full length rib which is marked “G.E. LEWIS. 32 & 33 LOWER LOVEDAY ST. BIRMINGHAM.
8108” and features a beaded blade front and two leaf (one standing, one folding) rear sight.
The flat is marked with correct period Birmingham proof marks and chamber features a huge extractor. The massive
casehardened Jones underlever action is unadorned aside from the nicely carved percussion fences and light engraving on all of the pins and bolts. The rebounding backaction lock signed “G.E. LEWIS” and is of an equally massive scale. Nicely
figured, multi-point checkered wide forend with casehardened shoe and wedge and key fastener along with the huge, yet rather comfortable, pistol grip stock with a casehardened steel grip cap and buttplate. The rifle has a 14 inch length of pull and weighs in at a staggering 18 lbs. 6 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel retaining nearly all of the professionally reblued finish, with all of the markings crisp. The action and lock retain 85% original vivid casehardened finish
with some surface corrosion blemishes. The freshened stock is also very fine and has crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Do not miss this chance to own the ultimate big bore rifle that would be a conversation piece in any sporting arms collection! Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
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Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
LOT 556
Factory Engraved Charles
Lancaster Backaction Hammer Double Rifle Built for
Punjab Prince Victor Duleep Singh with Case - Serial no. 6674, 500/450 cal., 28 1/8 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Blued
steel barrels with a blade front and fixed rear sights on the solid matted rib, “CHARLES LANCASTER. 151. NEW BOND St LONDON.” and “NON-FOULING SMOOTH OVAL
BORE RIFLING.” marked on the left and right barrels respectively, correct period London black powder proofs, and chambers with a single ejector. The casehardened Jones underlever receiver with backaction locks display near full coverage floral scroll engraving and
is signed “CHARLES LANCASTER.LONDON.” on either side and “CHARLES LANCASTER” on either lockplate. The rifle features non-rebounding
hammers, bar safeties on both locks, and double triggers. The nicely figured, multi-point checkered forend with engraved fittings and round knob pistol grip stock with shadowline cheekpiece, blank silver inscription oval, and a brown rubber recoil pad. The rifle includes photo copies of the factory ledgers showing that the rifle was built for famous Indian prince, Prince Victor Duleep Singh. The prince was the first of the Indian nobility to marry an English lady, though they never had children and he was the last in the noble line of Punjab. Also included with the rifle is an oak and leather takedown case which has many partial transit tags showing how well traveled this rifle was, as well as a label on the end marked “Prince V. Duleep Singh/Lancaster Rifle”, Lancaster trade label, load data label, cleaning tools, and a glass oiler. Length of pull 13 3/4 inches. Weight 8 lbs. 2 oz. CONDITION: Very fine overall, retaining 95% professionally reapplied blue finish, 80% original case colors, light handling evidence, some minor spotting in a few areas on the barrels, some deterioration on the rubber recoil pad, and overall crisp checkering on the wood. The case is good. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 7,000 - 11,000