Page 223 - Demo

Extremely Fine Documented Stephen Grant .500/.450 Express Double Rifle Manufactured for Indian Royalty
LOT 304
Very Rare Engraved Stephen Grant & Sons .500/.450 (Black
Powder Express) Double Barrel Rotary Underlever Single
Trigger Hammerless Sidelock Ejector Big Game Rifle Made
for the Maharana of Udaipur - Serial no. 7591, .500/.450 BPE cal., 26 inch solid rib bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. The makers have kindly confirmed that this rifle was made as the No.1 of a pair for the
Maharana of Udaipur in 1905. The records note that it was a .500/.450 black powder hammerless ejector with 26 inch barrels and single trigger mechanism.
It has blued chopperlump barrels respectively signed “STEPHEN GRANT & SONS” and “67A ST. JAMES’S STREET LONDON” towards the breech, and each is
engraved with a narrow band of stylized foliage at the breech end. The sunken concave rib has a file cut matted quarter rib with standing notch rear sight and
two folding leaves and a matted ramp-mounted bead front sight. The action has sculpted leaf fences and blued removable firing pin bushings. The top-strap
has a manual safety with gold inlaid “SAFE”, and the locks are each signed “STEPHEN GRANT & SONS”. The underside of the barrels and water table are struck with
London black powder proof marks noting powder charge at 140 grains and bullet weight at 325 grains (corresponding to a charge variation for the .500/.450 3 1⁄4
in. black powder express). The furniture comprises a trigger guard, pistol grip cap and checkered heel plate. It is finely engraved with classic English scrollwork throughout. The well- figured walnut pistol grip stock has a raised cheekpiece and panels of multi-point checkering to the grip and forearm, and the latter has an Anson push button release. Import marks are found on the underside of the rib under the forearm. Length of pull 14 7/8 inches. Weight 9 lbs. 8 oz.
CONDITION: Fine as professionally refinished. The barrels retain near 100% reblued finish with crisp recut signatures and some small areas of surface pitting visible beneath the finish in sheltered areas and on the rear sights. The action, locks, and grip cap have a light grey patina and retain slight traces of the original casehardened finish. The engraving is crisp throughout with the exception of the top spur of the heel plate. The rifle is professionally restocked with an attractive stock blank with crisp and sharp checkering and drop points. Mechanically excellent. An attractive rifle in a very unusual configuration by a highly regarded London maker.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
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