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LOT 1296
Fine Engraved James
Wilkinson & Son 28 Bore Double Barrel Percussion
Ball Gun with Case - Serial no. 5952, 28 gauge, 30 inch
bbl., browned/casehardened/blued finish, walnut stock.
James Wilkinson was the successor to the famous London
gunmaker Henry Nock. He was in business with his son from
1818 and are listed at 27 Pall Mall, London from 1829 until 1852.
The serial number dates this gun to circa 1840. Browned twist barrels with raised flat rib signed “WILKINSON & SON. GUN MAKERS TO HER MAJESTY. PALL MALL. LONDON”, engraved with a spray of foliage at the breech
end, and fitted with large brass bead front sight and single standing rear sight. Casehardened patent breeches each with pierced platinum plug. Side locks each signed “WILKINSON & SON” and fitted with blued safety catch. Border and scroll engraved throughout, the trigger plate with large pineapple finial, blued pistol grip trigger guard engraved with a running stag on the trigger bow, and hinged patch box cover engraved with a well executed lion. Barrels struck with London proof marks. Brass mounted
ramrod. Well figured straight hand half stock with checkered grip, the wrist inset with a silver initial escutcheon engraved with a coronet and monogram. In brass bound mahogany case relined in green baize, the lid with printed James Wilkinson & Son trade label, with accessories including powder flask, bullet mold and pewter oil bottle.
CONDITION: Barrels retaining 90% dark rebrowned finish, signature clear but slightly flattened. Locks retaining faded slight traces of original casehardened finish in sheltered areas, engraving clear and crisp
throughout. Trigger guard with 60% original blued finish.
Engraved lion on patch box crisp. Stock refinished, clear checkering, scattered minor handling blemishes. Case with some external age wear, key lock missing, slight damage to inside edges, reproduction trade label. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1297
Rare Engraved Pair of Thomas Boss 14 Bore Double Barrel Percussion Shotguns -A) Thomas Boss Percussion Shotgun with Case - Serial no. 1606, 14 gauge, 30 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., brown/blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. The makers have kindly confirmed that this pair of guns were ordered on May 1, 1858 by a Martin Ridley Smith Esq.re with 2 ft. 6 1/2 (31 1/2 inch) barrels and individual cased with leather outers. Browned Damascus barrels numbered “1” and signed “THOMAS BOSS. 73 ST. JAMES’S STREET. LONDON” on the concave rib. Patent breeches each with platinum plug and short inlaid platinum line, the rib section engraved with scrollwork. Scroll engraved standing breech and border and scroll engraved bar-in-wood locks each signed “THOMAS BOSS”. Border and scroll engraved iron furniture including trigger plate and ramrod entry pipe each with elongated pineapple finial, the trigger guard and heel plate each numbered “1”. Well figured half length stock with checkered grip and forearm, the forearm barrel channels stamped with the serial number, the underside of the butt with blank silver oval initial escutcheon. Brass mounted wooden ramrod. London proof marks. In original lined and fitted brass cornered oak case, the lid with printed Thomas Boss trade label stating “Many Years with the Late/JOSEPH MANTON”, with some accessories including Bartram & Co. leather wrapped powder flask and Sykes leather shot flask. The lid with circular brass escutcheon engraved with the monogram “M.R.S.” in “old English” as per the notes in the Boss records. CONDITION: Very good. The barrels have a pleasing Damascus twist pattern and most of the rebrowned finish with slightly softened rib signature. Patent breeches are a dark grey blue finish. Slight traces of original casehardened finish remain on the locks and standing breech, some discoloration, engraving clear. Furniture a light grey discolored patina with slightly softened engraving, the heel plate’s toe with old dent. Stock refinished with refreshed checkering, occasional age related storage and handling blemishes. Replacement ramrod. Mechanically fine. Case is good with age related wear to the lining, trade label with period handwritten notes. B) Thomas Boss Percussion Shotgun - Serial no. 1607, 14 gauge, 30 1/2 inch bbl., brown/blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. See “A”. The rib, heel plate and trigger guard are numbered “2”, the barrels have been incorrectly re-engraved “T. BOSS. 41. ALBERMARLE STREET. PICCADILLY. LONDON” With unmarked shot flask, funnel, and nipple wrench. The vendor informs us that the pair had been split up for many years before being reunited in 2012. Unfortunately the case for this gun has been lost in the mists of time. CONDITION: Very good. The barrels have attractive Damascus twist patterns and most of the rebrowned finish. The rib signature is slightly softened. Patent breeches are a dark grey blue finish. Very slight traces of original casehardened finish remain on the locks and standing breech. There is some discoloration and clear engraving on the locks. The furniture has a light grey discolored patina with slightly softened engraving. Stock refinished with refreshed checkering, occasional age related storage and handling blemishes. Replacement ramrod. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000 257