Page 296 - 4090-BOOK2

LOT 1402
Very Rare Engraved Wilkinson & Son Breechloading Percussion “Duckbill” Blunderbuss Pistol with Detachable Shoulder Stock - Serial no. 4363, 73 cal., 6 1/8 inch part round bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. This innovative
pistol was manufactured c. 1832 based on Ulick John de Burgh, 1st Marquis of Clanricarde’s scarcely seen
breechloading system patented the prior year on July 15. The patent also covered paper cartridges loaded with twelve quarter round projectiles. He was an Irish peer and Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard at the time and later Ambassador to Russia, Postmaster General, and Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal. Examples are shown in “Firearms Curiosa” by Lewis Winant on pa. 256, and “Early Firearms of Great Britain and Ireland from the Collection of Clay P. Bedford on page. 127. The lever on the right swings up the plate behind the breechblock. The breechblock can then slide backwards and tilts upwards for loading similar to the Hall system in the U.S. The Damascus barrel is in “duckbill” format with the bore measuring .74 inches high and 1.8 inches wide at the muzzle. The barrel features a bead front sight at the muzzle and “PATENT” in a scroll banner towards the breech end. The breechblock has “WILKINSON & SON/PATENT/LONDON” in scroll banners. The lock is also signed “WILKINSON & SON.” A notch rear sight is on the upper tang. The lower tang has the serial number. There is scroll and border engraving throughout. The wedge and wrist escutcheons are silver. The checkered wrist has a keyed slot for mounting the included figured walnut shoulder stock (modern made replacement in the same form as the originals). CONDITION: Fine with 60% original blue finish on the trigger guard, 30% lighter faded original finish elsewhere, mostly dark brown patina throughout, aged patina on the silver, distinct markings aside from the “LONDON” banner on the breechblock which has flash pitting, and generally minor overall wear. The stocks are both also fine, with more scratches and dings on the pistol stock along with distinct checkering and some red coloration. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 1403
Exceptional Westley Richards Percussion Harpoon Gun - NSN, 20 gauge, 20 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, highly figured walnut stock. This harpoon gun was manufactured The heavy barrel has a nickel silver bead front sight and is signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS & Co. Ld. LONDON W.” on the flat at the breech end and has Birmingham proof marks from the early 20th century, including the nominal bore size 20. There is also an electopencilled “2/XII/204” marking on the top flat, and a harpoon gun logo is marked on the bottom at the breech end. It is mounted with a figured walnut stock with an orange rubber recoil pad. CONDITION: Very fine with 85% plus of the original blue finish, some patches of oxidation and light pitting, 85% plus of the bright original case colors on the hammer, aged patina on the brass, and general minor overall wear. The stock is also very good and has some nice figure along with mild dings and scratches. The recoil pad is deteriorated with hardening and moderate flaking. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 1404
Very Rare Engraved Percussion Combination Rifle and “Duck Bill” Blunderbuss Coach Gun - NSN, 54 cal., 14 inch solid rib bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. Highwaymen beware! This mid-19th century combination gun features a .54 caliber rifled barrel over a 14 gauge smoothbore barrel with “duck bill” muzzle that flares out to around 3 5/8 inches. The upper barrel has a dovetailed front sight base and “Comendador Dn Carlos Du Villards” in silver inlay on the rib. The locks and furniture have scroll engraving and hunting scenes. The stock is nicely figured. CONDITION: Good with artificial dark brown patina overall, some mild pitting, and general moderate wear. The refinished stock is also good and has some scrapes and dings, a crack at the breech on the right, a few fainter checks in the grain, and minor overall wear. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
294