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LOT 274
Incredibly Rare Historic Engraved W. Parker Patent Marked 2 Bore Flintlock
Dangerous Game Rifle with Case - NSN, 2 Bore cal., 30 1/4 inch octagon
bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, maple stock. This incredible rifle’s heavy
Damascus barrel has a dovetailed post front sight, five-leaf “express” rear sight,
“London” in script on top of the
breech ahead of silver inlays and
shell and scroll engraving, and
London proof and view marks
on the underside at the breech.
The breechplug is also silver
banded and has a silver vent liner
and “W. PARKER/PATENT” signed
on top. The rifling measures
approximately 1.23 inches across
the lands and 1.30 inches in the
grooves which places it as larger
than 3 bore (1.157) and slightly
under 2 bore (1.325). The lock
features a rain-proof priming
pan, frizzen spring roller, and
“London” signed at the center.
The steel mounts feature scroll,
foliate, martial trophy and border
engraving. The highly figured
maple stock has a checkered wrist
and 15 1/8 inch length of pull. The
rifle comes with a case containing
the percussion hammer and nipple bolster that replaces the cock and frizzen to
allow it to be used with percussion caps along with a massive punch and several
other accessories. The mold is absent. The barrel fits into the case, but the stock
will not. An included copy of a letter from W. Keith Neal to
Norman R. Blank on October 8, 1962, discusses meeting up in
San Antonio and discusses firearms Neal wanted to offer Blank,
including the double rifle in Lot 3307, and “a two bore flintlock
sporting rifle!!!!! It is made in London like a fine quality sporting
rifle and is complete in its case with most fittings including the
enormous two bore mould. I can just hold it long enough to
sight it. It must be the flint-lock edition of Sir Samuel Baker’s
rifle ‘The Baby’. It could even be his rifle as it has alternative
percussion ignition...But it has hardly been used so I don’t think
it is The Baby.”
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