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LOT 1476
Exceptional Eley Bros. Ltd.
“Sporting & Military” Glass
Topped Cartridge Display
Board - Cartridge boards such as
this example were an eye-catching
complimentary advertisement
provided to hardware and
sporting goods stores by cartridge
manufacturers to hang in their
shops from the late 1800s to
early 1900s, giving consumers
a tangible representation of
the wide range of cartridges
they provided. These impressive
cartridge display boards naturally
make eye-catching display pieces
in gun rooms, gun shops, homes,
and businesses. Being one of the
most well-known British cartridge
manufacturers of the period, the
Eley Brothers Limited firm would
have wanted boards such as this hanging in as many retail locations as possible to compete with the other domestic and foreign counterparts on the
market. This impressive board includes a range of sporting and military cartridges ranging from .22 caliber rimfire up to the impressive .577/500 Nitro
Express, centered around a circle of paper shotgun shells, encircling an circle of varying Eley marked paper shotgun cards, surrounding a central “ELEY
CARTRIDGES” marked wood plaque. A number of percussion cap tins, wads, and two cut away brass shotgun shells join the myriad, sitting atop a grey
backdrop. The frame features the “ELEY” name across the top, with “S/P/O/R/T/I/N/G” running down the left and “M/I/L/I/T/A/R/Y” on the right side, and a
pane of glass protecting the entire display, measuring 31 inches tall, 25 1/2 inches wide, and approximately one inch thick.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine overall, with the display itself showing very minimal wear or fading, with the cartridges showing a very attractive, lightly
aged patina, and the hardwood frame showing some light handling evidence.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 1475
Fine and Very Rare Engraved Charles Lancaster 16 Bore Double
Barrel Over-And-Under Ejector Shotgun - Serial no. 013586, 16 gauge,
28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/bright finish, walnut stock. The maker’s records
confirm that this rare gun, serial no. 013586, was sold in 1913 to a Horace
E. Cook Esq. According to Geoffrey & Susan Boothroyd in their book “The
British Over-And-Under Shotgun” (Chapter 16), H.A.A. Thorn, the then
owner of Charles Lancaster, took out a patent (No. 12,057 of May 14,
1910) for “providing double-barreled guns, of the kind having superposed
barrels, with ejector mechanism”. Expanding on the fact that the patent
is for ejectors only, a letter published in “The Field” magazine on June 30,
1910 is mentioned that confirms the guns were purchased ‘in the white’
from Germany and were finished and fitted with ejectors by Lancaster in
London. With blued ribless barrels engraved “WHITWORTH STEEL” and “2
3/4 CASE” on the bolsters, each barrel struck with London nitro proof and
reproof marks and Whitworth trademark. The over barrel with white bead
sight and engraved with scrollwork at the breech end and on the doll’s
head extension as well as “Charles Lancaster 11 Ponton St. Haymarket
London” and “Hammerless Ejector Patent” engraved on the side ribs.
Scalloped triggerplate action with dipped edge topstrap, blued top lever,
automatic safety with silver inlaid “SAFE”, signed “CHARLES LANCASTER”
on each side and engraved with scrollwork. Blued trigger guard with
border and scroll engraving. Figured straight-hand stock including 3/4
inch orange rubber butt pad, with checkered panels to the grip and
forearm, the latter with Deeley Edge fastener and dark horn cap, the
underside of the butt with silver oval initial escutcheon engraved with the
monogram “G.E.C.” Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter
nine inches from the breech, reproved but no definitive measurement
visible (original 16/16 marks visible), measured at .667/.665 inches; choke
constriction .014/.005 inches; minimum wall thickness .031/.032 inches;
1 5/8 inch drop at comb; 3 1/4 inch drop at heel; 14 5/16 inch length of
pull; weight 6 lbs. 6 oz.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrels retain 98% reblued finish with slightly
softened engraving at the breech end of the over barrel. Action cleaned
bright, clear engraving. Top lever, trigger guard and forearm iron reblued.
Stock refinished with softened drop points, well-defined recut multi-point
checkering, minor handling losses to upper corners of forearm wood,
some scattered storage and handling blemishes and bruises throughout,
forearm wood cracked at rear on each side. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000