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LOT 1271
Fine Cased Engraved and Silver Mounted Alexander Wilson Patch Lock Percussion Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 5011, 12 Bore cal., 29 1/2 inch octagon bbl.,
brown/casehardened/ silver finish, walnut
stock. The lock is signed “Alexr Wilson,/Sherrard.
Strt London,” and the barrel bears a similar signature.
Alexander Wilson was a former workman of John Manton active 1805-1825. He was recorded at 3 Sherrard Street on Golden
Square in 1811-1825. The London hallmarks on the trigger guard date the silver furniture to 1822 and include an “M-B” maker’s mark. The heavy Damascus barrel has dovetailed silver blade
front sight, notch rear sight with three folding leaves, dual platinum bands and a platinum plug on the breech plug, and London proofs and “5011” on the bottom. The latter appears to be stamped
over another marking. The rifle also features double set triggers,
and a base for an aperture rear sight. The silver mounts are primarily scroll
engraved with a tiger mask on the trigger guard bow, two deer on the tang
of the heel plate, the base of the heel plate engraved with a mountain above crossed fronds; trigger guard with a horn grip stop, plain patchbox cover fitted with a wooden box for patch primers inside, and a well-figured straight grip half-stock with checkered wrist and shallow cheekpiece. The oak takedown case has a Wilson trade label and contains a powder flask, ball mold, punch, the rear aperture sight, balls, and patches. CONDITION: Very good with mostly bright silver furniture, 20% original case colors, a mix of fading original brown finish and brown patina on the barrel along with distinct twist patterns, minor oxidation and pitting mostly at the breech, and crisp markings and engraving. The refinished stock is good and has some chips and slivers absent from the edges of the forend, mild scratches and dings, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are fine with moderate age and storage related wear. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
Enfield rifle. The Whitworth is widely considered to have been the first rifle used for true sniping. CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% period refinished blue finish on the barrel and trigger guard with some scattered very light pitting visible underneath the finish, strong traces of case colors visible on the lock and breech plug with mostly smooth gray and silver patina, and sharp clear cut engraving overall. Stock is very fine as professionally re-oiled, with defined edges, a few discreet filled in areas at the edges, a few light handling marks, and crisp recut checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 1272 Rare Engraved Whitworth Percussion Military Match/Sharpshooter Rifle - Serial no. C778, 451 cal., 35 1/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rare rifle, of the type associated with Confederate sharpshooters, features fine floral engraving on the barrel tang, a deer on the breech plug, a decorated fish head hammer, with border and floral motifs on the lock, trigger guard, buttplate and screws. The blued round barrel is marked “WHITWORTH PATENT” on top referring to Joseph Whitworth’s famous patented hexagonal rifling, and fitted with adjustable hooded blade front sight and target ladder rear sight. The barrel is absent of proofmarks. The lock, equipped with a safety catch, is inscribed “WHITWORTH Rifle Co. MANCHESTER” and with a crowned “W” trademark. Serial number “C778” inscribed on the trigger guard. Figured walnut straight hand three quarter length stock with checkered grip and forend. Whitworth rifles were highly regarded and were extremely accurate, especially when compared to a standard .577
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