Page 235 - 4094-BOOK1

LOT 244
Very Scarce Victorian Era British Ordnance Rifled Muzzle
Loader RML 7-Pounder Mk IV Mountain Gun with Iron
Carriage and Two Artillery Rounds - , 3 inch cal., 35 3/4
inch round bbl., black/bright finish. Manufactured in 1874
per the date marking on top. Offered here is a very scarce
British Rifled Muzzle Loader RML 7-Pounder Mk IV mountain gun,
which were reportedly used in service between c. 1873-1919. There
are reportedly only a small handful of these surviving today, with
examples known to be in museums in South Africa, India and
Woolrich, and consignor notes indicate this example came out of
Nepalese inventory in the early 2000s. “7-pounder” refers to the
approximate weight of the shell it fires. These saw use in various
conflicts including the Anglo-Zulu War, the Second Anglo-Afghan
War, the First Boer War, the War of the Golden Stool, the Second
Boer War, and the Anglo-Aro War. With a trained crew, these guns
could reportedly be assembled and loaded within 20 seconds.
The top center of the tube is marked with a large crown above
“VR” royal cypher of Queen Victoria, above the touch hole is
marked with a British broad arrow above the manufacture date
marking “74” (1874), and below the touch hole is marked with
Roman numerals “CXCVIII” (198) indicating this may be the 198th
production example, above two Indian type markings which are
repeated on top of the cascabel. Features three-groove rifling,
with a blade front sight and a replacement adjustable notch rear
sight. On a black painted Joseph Whitworth cast iron carriage with
a rectangular brass plaque on the left side that reads in six lines: “7
P.r R.M.L. GUN./200 lbs R.eg No./W(broad arrow)D.I.RCD./Wt CARRI.ge
206. lbs/WHEELS. 144./TOTAL. 350.”, a “One Rupee” coin stamp on the
carriage, with wooden wheels. Includes two 7-pounder artillery rounds.
The tube measures approximately 41 inches from muzzle to cascabel,
with a 35 3/4 inch inside bore length, with overall measurements
including the carriage approximately 67 inches long by 35 inches wide by
37 1/2 inches tall.
CONDITION: Fine, with a golden bright appearance on the polished brass,
nearly all of the newly applied attractive black painted finish on the front half of the
tube and cascabel, some scattered dings, and defined markings. Carriage is also fine
with nearly all of the black painted finish, replacement wheel centers and wood ramp
elevating piece. Artillery rounds are good, with an absent head on one of them.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 243
Riviere Second Pattern
Brunswick Percussion
Military Rifle with
Bayonet - NSN, 70 cal.,
30 inch round bbl., brown
finish, walnut stock. Manufactured by
Isaac Riviere. V notch front and flip up rear sight covered with a 3 3/4 inch sight hood.
Iron button head ramrod secured by two brass pipes. Heavy
bayonet mounting bar on right side of the barrel. Damascus
barrel with 2-groove bore for use with the standard Brunswick
belted .704 caliber ball. The lock is marked “RIVIERE”, British proofs at the breech, top of the barrel marked “RIVIERE
RIFLE GUN MAKER LONDON”. Brass trigger guard. Full length walnut stock with brass patchbox containing patches and tools inside. Includes a correct
second pattern 22 inch blade sword bayonet marked “ENFIELD” and bearing various British proofs.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 30% original brown finish and distinct twist patterns on the barrel with some scratches under the rear
sight hood, some light scattered spotting, mild pitting on the rear sight hood, light case colors on the lock, sharp lock markings with
a pleasing patina overall. Stock is also very fine with some occasional handling marks and dents, and lightly cleaned brass fittings.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
233