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LOT 1410
A.G. Hale Upgraded Factory Engraved Holland & Holland Single Shot Rook Rifle - Serial no. 10927, 22 RF cal., 25 inch part round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1888. The blued barrel features beaded blade front and two leaf (one standing, one folding) rear sights, a central wedding band at the transition point, matting on the top barrel flat and automatic ejector. The upper flats are marked “HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98 NEW BOND St. LONDON. 22RF PATENT/No.1294” and “WINNERS OF ALL THE ‘FIELD RIFLE TRAILS 1883.” The left flat is stamped “A.G. PARKER/BIRMINGHAM” with “PARKERIFLED/AGP” at the muzzle noting the barrel has been sleeved with a Parker rifled sleeve, which was commonly done to turn a small bore rifle into a target quality rifle. The casehardened boxlock action displays light floral scroll engraving on the action , triggerguard,
LOT 1408
Fine Factory Engraved J. Purdey & Sons Single Shot Rook Rifle with Case - Serial no. A1238, 6.5x70 R cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. With a blued steel octagonal barrel featuring a beaded blade front sight, three-leaf (one standing, two folding) rear sight ahead of a matted sighting flat, “SHOOTING REGULATED BY J. PURDEY & SONS. AUDLEY HOUSE.
LONDON” signed on the top flat, import mark under forend, Austrian reproof
marks from 1966, and automatic ejector. The rifle was originally built in England before subsequently finding its was to Austria where it was converted to its current 6.5x70R chambering. The barrel is fitted to a casehardened action which displays highly attractive scroll engraving surrounding “J. PURDEY & SONS.” signatures on either side and the automatic tang safety with gold “SAFE” indicator before continuing onto the triggerguard, toplever, and tangs. The rifle is mounted with a nicely figured and multi-point checkered forend with engraved fittings and an ebony tip as well as a pistol grip stock with engraved steel grip cap, raised cheekpiece, blank silver inscription oval, and a serrated bare butt. Included is a period canvas and takedown case with Purdey trade label, a nickel Purdey marked oiler, and a cleaning rod. CONDITION: Very fine as professionally refurbished, retaining 97% blue and casehardened finishes with minor loss on the triggerguard, minor handling evidence, a few scratches and pressure marks in the wood, and well-defined checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1409
Rare Finely Engraved British William Soper Hinged Breech Block Target Rifle with Extra Matching Shotgun Barrel - Serial no. 422, 577-450 cal., 36 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c. 1870s-1880s. The Soper Patent rifle holds a special place in the pantheon of innovative Victorian breech loading rifles from the late 19th century. Its unique action allowed for a very high rate of fire, a feat which was ably demonstrated by Soper’s assistant, Sgt. John Warrick, to much popular acclaim at the Basingstoke Exhibition in 1870 (Basingstoke being around 20 miles from Reading where Soper was based) when he fired 60 “aimed” shots in 60 seconds. Originally patented in 1868, Soper’s complicated design was passed over by the British military in
favor of the more robust Martini-Henry, but his design found favor amongst sportsmen and target shooters. Medium weight modern replacement blued slightly tapering round barrel. Modern globe front sight (absent sight insert) with spirit level, and side mounted modern fully adjustable folding peep ladder rear sight fitted to a blued plate on the left side of the stock. Casehardened action engraved with fine scrollwork, marked with a “WS” monogram on the top edge and signed “INVENTOR & PATENTEE/W. SOPER/MANUFACTURER/READING” on the left side, “W. SOPER’S PATENT” signed on the hinged breech block, and “crown/V” London proofs on the action and breech block. Figured walnut pistol grip half stock with checkered grip and forearm, and horn forearm cap. The back end of the comb fitted with a base for a long range supine position target sight (no sight fitted). Engraved with fine floral pattern scrollwork on the action, breech block, trigger guard, sideplate, pistol grip cap, long range base and buttplate. Matching number “422” marked on the barrel, breech block, frame and trigger guard. Includes an extra matching numbered 20 gauge smoothbore cut down shotgun barrel, and smooth bored from the original rifled barrel, marked with the same Soper address on top and with 2 1/2 inch chamber. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 97% professionally refinished blue finish on the barrel, with smooth gray patina on the casehardened action and fittings, and sharp engraving overall. Stock is also very fine as refinished, with defined recut checkering, some nicks and scratches, a small hairline crack ahead of the top left of the buttplate, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Extra barrel is very good, retains 60% refinished blue finish with smooth brown patina on the balance, scattered light freckling, and some light wear to the markings. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
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toplever, and tangs. The action is fitted with a side mounted rotating safety with gold inlaid “SAFE”. Mounted in a lightly figured multipoint checkered walnut forend with engraved fittings and horn forend, and pistol grip stock with casehardened engraved grip cap and blued engraved steel buttplate. CONDITION: Very fine as relined/upgraded to .22 rimfire, retaining 97% plus refinished blue finish and, 85% original case colors with some handling marks concentrated on the action, some spotting/light pinhole pitting, and crisp engraving. Wood is very good with dings and scratches, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750