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LOT 1103
Cased, Inscribed Factory Engraved, and Silver Plated Tipping & Lawden Model
2B Four Barrel Pistol with Ornate Gutta Percha Grips - Serial no. 3193, 7 mm cal.,
3 inch fluted bbl., royal blue/silver finish, gutta percha grips. The pistol may have
been owned by Captain Charles H. Kempson who had a long career at sea from
roughly 1870 to 1913 on multiple ships. He worked his way from a cadet up
to a captain. Some of the vessels he worked on were the Doric, Athenic, and
Coptic owned by the White Star Line, famous as the owners of the Titanic.
In fact, 3rd ranking officer on the Coptic at the same time Edward J. Smith
was the 2nd officer. Smith was the captain famous for going down with the
Titanic. Kempson was also a lieutenant in the Royal Navy Reserve. He worked
as a marine superintendent for the White Star Line after retiring from the
sea in 1913. His career began late in the production of these pistols. Only
around 2,000 Model 2 pistols were manufactured by the Tipping & Lawden of
Birmingham, England, in the 1860s to early 1870s. They were one of only two
firms licensed to manufacture Sharps pistols abroad. It is certainly among the
most attractive and highest condition Tipping & Lawden pistols known. The front
strap is inscribed “C H Kempson.” The silver plated frame has nearly full coverage scroll
engraving and is marked “TIPPING & LAWDEN/SHARPS PATENT” in a circle around the
hammer screw on the right. The bright royal blue barrel has an engraved border at the
muzzles, scrollwork around textured grip panels on the sides, and additional scrollwork
on top at the breech. The grips have coordinating floral scroll patterns. The pistol comes
in an English fitted case with a cleaning rod, four cartridges, and a key. The case lid has a
demi-talbot (hound) rampant over a torse. This is recorded as a Kempson family crests in
“The Book of Family Crests” (1851).
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel retains 98% plus retailer refurbished bright royal blue
finish. The hammer retains subtle original case colors. The frame retains virtually all of
the original silver plating and has only some minor edge wear and some flaking near
the inscription. The grips are fine and have light aging and edge wear. The engraving,
inscription, and markings are crisp. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine and has
minor exterior storage wear and some light staining on the interior lining. This is a truly
exceptional Tipping & Lawden pistol.
Estimate: 7,500 - 9,500
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