Page 268 - 4095-BOOK3

LOT 3313
Documented William Bailes Takedown Flintlock Sporting Gun with
Gold and Silver Inlaid and 1748 Dated Spanish Barrel - NSN, 18 gauge,
42 inch part octagon bbl., blue/gold/silver/bright finish,
walnut stock. This gun is illustrated and discussed on pages
151-153 of “British Gunmakers Messrs. Griffin & Tow and
W. Bailes, 1740-1790” by W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back and
dated to c. 1760. It has a smoothbore octagonal to round
barrel with a silver blade front sight with flush inlaid silver
“spider” base and additional inlaid accents, chiseled and turned girdles
at the transition point, “1748” as well as a series of dots and a crucifix and floral
designs in silver towards the breech, a gold touch hole liner, and Pedro Esteva’s
sunken gold lined maker’s marks,
including “crown/I.P/EST/EVA”. The flat
beveled lock has a gold lined pan and is
signed “W Bailes”. The mounts are bright
steel with light engraving. The sideplate
is a pierced foliate scroll design. The
stock has shell carving and a
14 inch length of pull.
CONDITION: Good with gray and brown patina on the re-browned barrel, aged patina on the silver, bright gold, silver-
gray patina and patches of oxidation on the lock and mounts, refinished stock with repairs, and general mild overall
wear. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,750
LOT 3312
Fine Benjamin Griffin Flintlock Sporting Gun with Pistoia Barrel - NSN, 18 gauge, 41 7/8 inch part
octagon bbl., brown/bright finish, walnut stock. This c. 1750 sporting gun from Benjamin Griffin of London features
a part octagonal smoothbore barrel with a silver blade front sight with tear drop shaped base, girdles at the transition,
gold touch hole liner, and sunken “crown/PIS/TO/IA” and lion maker’s marks at the breech. The rounded lock has a guttered
priming pan, “GRIFFIN” signed in an engraved banner among the scrollwork at the center, and an engraved sliding half-cock
safety. The mounts are iron with cast and engraved decoration as well as a beautifully pierced scrolling sideplate with cast,
engraved, and chiseled accents. The stock has relief shell carving around the upper tang and a 13 1/4 inch length of pull. Includes
an invoice for the purchase of the gun by Norman R. Blank from “D. Donald” (Donald W. S. Donald)
dated October 16, 1958, and Mr. Blank’s collection sheet.
CONDITION: Fine as refinished, “probably about 100 years ago” per Norman R. Blank’s notes, with nearly all of the brown finish
remaining on the barrel, bright gold, silver-gray patina on the lock and mounts, distinct markings and engraving, and minimal
wear including some small dings and scratches on the stock. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: Burton Constable Hall; The Donald W. S. Donald Collection; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,500
As pictured & described
in British Gunmakers:
Messrs. Griffin & Tow and
W. Bailes (1740-1790) by
Neal & Back
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