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LOT 1405
Factory Engraved Charles Lancaster Underlever Hammer Double Rifle in .450
Express - Serial no. 4424, 450 Black Powder Express cal., 26 1/8 inch solid rib bbl., brown/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rifle was completed in 1871 according to page
121 of Nigel Brown’s “British Gunmakers Volume One: London”. The rifle was completed
with browned Damascus steel barrels featuring a beaded blade front sight and two
leaf (one standing, one folding) rear sight on the smooth solid rib, “CHARLES
LANCASTER 151 NEW BOND STs. LONDON” and “PATENT SMOOTH BORE
BREECH LOADING RIFLE” signed on the left and right respectively, London
proof marks, and chambers with a single extractor. The barrels are fitted to
the casehardened Lancaster Patent underlever hammer back action which
shows lovely scroll engraving covering much of the surface and surrounding
patent markings on the sides and each lockplate. The rifle features non-
rebounding hammers with bar safeties and double triggers. The rifle is fitted
with a nicely figured and multi-point checkered splinter forend with engraved fittings and
wedge fastener as well as a straight grip stock with checkered bare butt. Includes
two 50 yard test targets as well as a receipt from Martin B. Rettng when the rifle
was purchased by Norman Blank dated January 31, 1957. Length of pull 14
9/16 inches. Weight 8 lbs. 9 oz.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining 60% period rebrowned finish on the barrels
with a mix of grey patina, smooth silvered patina on the action, hammers, and
lockplates, 50% original nitre blue on the safeties, and scattered minor patches
of oxidation. The freshened wood has some dings and scratches and crisp
checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: Martin B. Retting;
The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1406
Factory Engraved John Rigby & Co. Jones Underlever Back Action Hammer
Double Rifle in .450 Express - Serial no. 16961, 450 Express cal., 28 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Completed between 1895 and 1900 according to page
128 of Nigel Brown’s “British Gunmakers Volume One: London”. The rifle has blued steel
barrels featuring a beaded blade front sight and three-leaf (one standing, two
folding) rear sight on the matted solid rib which is signed “Jno Rigby & Co.
72 St James’s Street. London.”, “SPECIAL 450 BIG GAME RIFLE” and “FOR
SPECIAL CORDITE CARTRIDGE & BULLET 480 GRAINS.” on the left and
right barrels respectively, and London proof marks on the flats. The
barrels are fitted to the casehardened Jones Underlever rebounding
hammer back action which shows light scroll engraving on the action
and plates, maker’s signatures on the lockplates, and double triggers.
The rifle is fitted with a nicely figured and multi-point checkered forend
with engraved fittings and a pistol grip stock with casehardened grip
cap, blank inscription oval, and recoil pad. Length of pull 15 inches.
Weight 11 lbs. 2 oz. Norman R. Blank’s note indicates he purchased the
rifle from Carrol Haines of the U.S. Air Force.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining 95% re-applied blue finish, flashes of original
case colors on the action with the balance greyed, some scattered spotting,
and some dried grease. There is a chip at the left of the forend; otherwise, the
freshened wood is very good with some marks. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Carrol Haines Collection; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000