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LOT 486
Very Fine Engraved John Dickson & Son 8 Bore Double Barrel Jones Patent Rotary
Underlever Hammer Duck Gun with
Original Case and Accessories Made for the Famed
Charles Gordon
Scottish Eccentric Charles Gordon - Serial no. 3989, 8 Bore gauge, 32 inch bbl., browned/casehardened/blued
finish, walnut stock. The maker’s records confirm that this gun
was completed on March 10, 1886 for Charles Gordon, the obsessive collector who purchased a staggering 229 guns from Dicksons and in
so doing became their most valued client of the late Victorian period.
With browned Damascus barrels each engraved with a band of stylized foliage at
the breech end and with concave rib with bead sight, signed “JOHN DICKSON & SON. 63 PRINCE’S STREET. EDINBURGH”, engraved with a spray of scrollwork at the breech end, and with doll’s head extension. Casehardened border and scroll engraved action with carved percussion fences and rebounding back action locks each signed “JOHN DICKSON & SON”. Well-figured straight hand walnut stock with checkered grip and forearm, and rubber recoil pad. The barrels and action with black powder reproof marks. 3 inch chambers. In brass cornered fitted oak case lined in green baize, the lid with large printed John Dickson & Son trade label, and a full compliment of accessories including cartridge reloading tool, oil bottle, turnscrews, firing pin wrench, cleaning rod and powder and shot measures. With leather outer named to “Charles Gordon Esq.” CONDITION: Barrels retaining 95% original browned finish, thinning in places, rib signature crisp. Has been reproved for black powder. Action and locks each retaining 15% original casehardened finish in sheltered areas, the remainder a dull mid-grey patina, engraving clear throughout. Stock in good condition with well-defined checkering, refinished. The forearm wood has been expertly replaced, forearm iron has no serial number. Case and accessories in good condition. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
“MADE FOR R.B. RODDA & CO.” and “7 & 8 DALHOUSIE SQUARE CALCUTTA” and each engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end. Raised partially file cut matted raised solid rib signed “ALEX.R HENRY. EDINBURGH &
LONDON/MAKER TO THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES & DUKE OF EDINBURGH”, fitted with blued bead front
sight with flip-up moon sight, blued rear sight of one standing and two folding leaves each with platinum inlaid center line and graduated from “50” to “150” yards, and with engraved doll’s head extension. Action with carved percussion fences and long top strap. Rebounding back action locks each signed “ALEX.R HENRY” and with safety catch in front of the hammer. Furniture comprising trigger guard and pistol grip cap. Low relief engraved throughout with scrolling grapevine against a darkened background, the fences with deeper relief carved vine ornament. The barrels and action struck with London black powder proof marks. Well-figured 15 inch pistol grip stock including rubber recoil pad, raised cheekpiece, and
checkered grip and forearm, the last with lever latch. The underside of the butt with large shield shaped gold escutcheon engraved with a monogram, with small sling loops. Weight 11 lbs. 14.5 oz. CONDITION: Barrels with attractive Damascus twist pattern and retaining 98% rebrowned finish, tube and rib engraving clear with slight softening. Action, locks and furniture all a dark grey patina with some discoloration, the high points of the decoration softened through cleaning. Stock has been expertly refinished, well-defined checkering, a filled knot to the right face of the butt almost certainly from manufacture, replacement rubber recoil pad with filler wedge (replacing an original iron butt plate), and small bulge on the forearm pushing though the wood with small setting crack. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
371
LOT 487
Exceedingly Rare Engraved Alexander Henry 12 Bore Double Barrel Rotary Underlever Hammer Ejector Rifle - Serial no. 6840, 12 cal., 24 inch bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. Maker’s records confirm this best quality rifle was completed as a hammer ejector on August 28, 1894 for Brookes Brothers & Co., a firm recorded as East India merchants with premises at 1 Whittlington Avenue, London. With browned Damascus barrels respectively engraved