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LOT 3304
Documented Engraved Silver Mounted Twigg Percussion
Conversion Long Barrel Fowling Gun with Hallmarks for
1781 - NSN, 10 gauge, 53 1/2 inch part octagon bbl., brown/
casehardened/silver finish, walnut stock. This highly attractive
long barreled flintlock fowling gun has London hallmarks,
including the “f” date code for 1781 and the “MB” silversmiths
mark of Michael Barnett on the inside of the trigger guard
bow and on the buttplate. The gun is listed on pages 177 and 178 of “Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790: The History of John Twigg and the
Packington Guns” by W. Keith Neal and D. H. L. Back and described as a “Duck-gun with silver mounts hall-marked for 1781” from the “N. Blank, U.S.A.” collection. It is also
referenced in the Bernard Dickens article “M.B: The Gunmaker’s Silversmith: A Question of Attribution” from “The Journal of the Arms & Armour Society,” Vol XVI, No. 2 from
March 1999. The gun was originally manufactured c. 1781 and was later converted to percussion in the 19th century by fitting a percussion hammer and re-breeching the
barrel. The Damascus, Spanish-form barrel has a silver “spider” front sight and no visible markings. The flat, beveled edge lock is signed “Twigg” (third form) and has a stepped tail.
The mounts are silver and include some light border and foliate engraving, and the buttplate has the initials “TIC” in ornate script. The walnut half-stock has a horn forend cap, raised shell carving around the
standing breech, and diamond and dot checkering on the wrist. The wood ramrod has a brass tip and a covered worm.
CONDITION: Very good with nearly all of the refinished brown remaining on the barrel along with distinct Damascus patterns and some oxidation, smooth gray and brown patina on the breech and lock, minor
pitting, aged patina on the silver mounts, one escutcheon absent, distinct designs, and mild wear. The refinished stock is also very good and has distinct checkering and carving, minor scratches and dings, and
some minor cracks. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Everett Collection; Jackson Arms; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,500
LOT 3305
Engraved Joseph Manton
Early Percussion Double Barrel
Shotgun - NSN, 20 gauge, 29 1/2 inch
solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish,
walnut stock. This c. 1830s shotgun’s smoothbore
Damascus barrels have a bead front sight and “JOSEPH
MANTONS NEW Improvements by His MAJESTY’S PATENT” on the concave rib
along with scroll engraving that extends onto the platinum banded rib
extension. The breechplugs have platinum plugs. The standing
breech is engraved with foliate, shell, and lioness mask patterns.
The flat locks are signed “JOSEPH MANTON” and have beveled
edges, light engraving, and stepped tails. The blued steel mounts
include stylized pineapple finials and martial trophies. The walnut
half-stock has silver escutcheons (“MY HOPE IS CONSTANT IN THEE”
motto, Clan Macdonald of Clanranald crest, and the initials “RGM”
on the wrist), and a checkered wrist. The ramrod has a brass tip and
covered worm. The wrist escutcheon indicates the gun originally
belonged to Ranald George Macdonald, 19th Chief of Clanranald
1810-1873 and Member of Parliament 1812-1824. He struggled
financially and sold off most of the clan’s estates in 1813-1838.
Norman R. Blank’s collection records indicate this gun was purchased
from gunsmith J. D. Buchanan of Los Angeles on March 16, 1963.
CONDITION: Very good with 85% plus of the refinished brown
remaining on the barrels, some fading towards the breeches, minor pitting, light original case colors, 80% original
blue on the buttplate, strong original blue inside the trigger guard bow, smooth gray patina on the balance, and
minor overall wear. The refinished stock is also very good and has distinct checkering on the wrist, faint cracks in
the butt, repairs, and crazing of the varnish. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: Ranald George Macdonald; J.D. Buchanan; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 4,000
LOT 3306
Two Rare Antique Books from 1804: “The
Shooting Directory” by Thornhill and
“A Sporting Tour...” by Thornton -
Includes “The Shooting Directory” by Richard
Badham Thornhill in 1804 and “A Sporting
Tour Through the Northern Parts of England,
and Great Part of the Highlands of Scotland”
by Colonel T. Thornton in 1804, each
providing fascinating insights into hunting
and shooting in the early 19th century,
including several illustrations
in each publication.
CONDITION: The texts and illustrations are
very good with age and storage related
wear, including foxing. The covers are
poor and detached.
Provenance:
The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 300 - 500
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