Page 216 - Demo

LOT 291
Unique British G. Sturrock Patent Marked Experimental Prototype Centerfire Breechloading Conversion Rifle - NSN, 58 CF cal., 29 3/4 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This experimental G. Sturrock patent breechloading
214
LOT 290
Rare British Green Brothers Experimental Prototype Bolt Action Centerfire Breechloading Rifle - Serial no. 5008, 577 cal., 33 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock.
This experimental Green brothers patent breechloading centerfire rifle uses a bolt action system with a centrally located hammer at the rear for striking the firing pin. “GREEN
BROTHERS./PATENT CENTRAL FIRE/No 5008.” marked on top of the integrated sliding bolt dust cover. This rifle follows the workings described in British patent number 1794 dated April 28th,
1876 granted to C. E. Green and R. Green. Various British patents were granted to brothers C. E. Green, R. Green, and J. Green relating to similar bolt action breechloading firearms, including British patent
number 2002 dated July 12th, 1862 for an earlier percussion variation, patent number 49 dated January 9th, 1871 which resembles this example visually although being an earlier variation in that it is intended for use with a side mounted hammer, and patent number 471 dated February 3rd, 1877 for what appears to be a slight improvement on this example. Fixed front and graduated ladder rear sight. “25” with London Crown proofs marked at the left of the breech end of the barrel. “REGISTERED/18th JANUARY/-1868-” marked in a circle on the rear trigger guard tang. A breechloading rifle such as this was very likely intended for military trials.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 75% plus original blue finish with some light thinning on the barrel, some scattered light flaking and smooth brown patina on top of the bolt dust cover, and some scattered areas of moderate surface corrosion. Stock is
fine as lightly sanded and
re-oiled with some scattered
light scratches and dents, a
few pin-sized holes in the
left of the buttstock likely
from a display plaque, and
some lines in the forend
from display. Mechanically
excellent. Absent front
trigger guard screw.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
centerfire conversion rifle uses a breechblock that opens in the style of a trapdoor. By grabbing a top mounted lever on the breechblock, the breechblock unlocks at the rear which allows it to lift upwards through rotation on a front mounted hinge attached to the top of the breech face, allowing extraction
through the use of the sliding breech face that is able to be manually
pulled backwards. The top of the breechblock is marked “STURROCK’S.
PATENT./CENTRALFIRE” in reference to G. Sturrock’s British patent number
916 dated March 29th, 1866. Fixed front and graduated ladder rear sight.
“25” with London Crown proofs marked at the left of the breech end of the
barrel below the breechblock, and “24” with London Crown proofs marked
ahead of the breech in reference to a rechambering from .577 to .58 caliber.
A breechloading rifle such as this was very likely intended for military trials.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining half of the period refurbished brown finish with scattered light brown patina on the balance. Stock is fine with crisp checkering, scattered light scratches, some dents, some lines in the forend from display, and a pin-sized hole in the left of the buttstock likely from a display plaque. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000