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heavyweight pugilist champion between 1838 and 1845 (with a brief loss of title to Nick Ward in 1841). Caunt fought in the bare-knuckle prize-fighting era with the Marquess of Queenberry’s rules which ushered in a degree of civility (gloves for one) some years away. There were rules in boxing by the late 18th and early 19th century, but bouts would generally continue until one participant could no longer stand, the fights sometimes lasting upwards of two hours. When Caunt took his title from Bendigo William Thompson in 1838 the contest lasted 76 rounds, when he relinquished the title to Bendigo in 1845 the fight lasted 93 rounds. Caunt certainly had the physique for the life of bare-knuckle fighter weighing in at around 18 stones (approx 250 lbs) and measuring 6 feet 2 inches. Caunt aspired to a world championship and toured America in 1841 were he was challenged by Charles Freeman of Michigan but rather than fight him became his manager and arranged a series of exhibition bouts for Freeman in England. Caunt retired from fighting in 1857, became the landlord of the Coach & Horses Inn on St. Martins Lane in London, promoted fights, and sponsored Nat Langham, a future “Champion of England”. A man used to a life of gambling and prize pots, it is little wonder that Caunt took to live pigeon shooting. The sport was enormously popular in England, and wagers on the outcome of matches could see fortunes won and lost. Caunt died in London in 1861, apparently from a cold caught at a live pigeon match. One theory as to how “Big Ben,” the world famous hour bell in the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament in London, earned its nickname is that it was popularly named after “Big Ben” Caunt, perhaps influenced by the former prize fighter ringing his bell in the Coach & Horses Inn to call time at the end of the night. The gun features browned Damascus barrels with a wide concave rib. The rib is fitted with a bead front sight, the underside of each breech is struck with Birmingham proof marks, and a brass mounted ramrod with worm is housed beneath. The large patent breeches are inlaid with two platinum lines and engraved with a pheasant of the rib section. Border and scroll engraved standing breech and locks, the latter each signed “SAML. HARPER / MAKER”. Samuel Harper is recorded as active in Birmingham from 1847 until 1895. During the period which crosses over with Benjamin Caunt, Harper is noted by De Witt Bailey & Douglas A. Nie in “English Gunmakers: The Birmingham and Provincial Gun Trade in the 18th and 19th Century” on p. 39 at addresses in Newton Street and on Steelhouse Lane. The walnut half-length straight hand stock has a checkered grip, and the forearm has two barrel keys with white metal escutcheons and a lightly engraved white metal ramrod entry pipe. The iron furniture comprises a heel plate and pistol grip trigger guard. A plated plaque is inset in front of the trigger guard and engraved “BENJAMIN CAUNT/CHAMPION OF ENGLAND.” Weight 13 lbs. 2 oz. CONDITION: Very good. The barrels retain 95% rebrowned finish with some scattered corrosion marking visible beneath the finish. There is age wear and discoloration to the breeches, locks and furniture. The stock has been cleaned and exhibits some age wear to checkering, age related storage and handling marks, and bruises and staining. The silver plated finish to the named plaque is rubbed, and the engraving is clear. A giant gun for a giant man (especially by mid-19th century standards)! Mechanically very good. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000 273
Benjamin Caunt
LOT 3534
Unique Engraved Samuel Harper 7 Bore Double
Barrel Percussion Live Pigeon Shotgun Believed to Have Been
Used by Benjamin Caunt, The Heavyweight Pugilist “Champion of England” - NSN, 7 Bore gauge, 36 3/8 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. Benjamin Caunt (1815-1861), known as “Big Ben” Caunt, was the English