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Moreton Frewen (1853-1924) was known
to be an excellent shot and regularly shot at
Sandringham with the Prince of Wales, a mutual friend of the Jeromes, prior
to his move to America in the 1870s, so he would certainly be an appropriate
family member to have the rifle. He reads like a character from an classic western:
an English nobleman who comes to the American West in the 1870s to try to make
his wealth in cattle only to be beaten back by the Northern Plains and the harsh winter
of 1885-1886. He later went to India as an financial advisor to the Nizam of Hyderabad in
1887-1889, and a double rifle would certainly have been a fitting rifle for that trip.
CONDITION: Very good with mostly smooth brown patina on the barrels along with Damascus
patterns and traces of original finish in the protected area, 30% of the original case colors
remaining with the protected areas of the locks and frame very vibrant (particularly around the
hammers) and gray patina on the balance, crisp engraving, 50% original bright blue finish on the trigger
guard, 20% original blue on the buttplate, some minor oxidation and pitting, and generally mild overall wear. Aside from a
repaired break in the wrist, the stock and forearm are very fine and have smooth re-oiled finish, crisp checkering, a small repair
below the left lock, minor marks and scratches, and very attractive figure. Mechanically excellent. This is an incredible artifact from
an influential family. The fact that it is an English double rifle is fitting given the Leonard Jerome’s connections to England, including
as grandfather to Winston Churchill, and it is also an artifact of the American West and the “aristocratic” buffalo hunts on the plains guided by Buffalo Bill Cody in the 1870s. Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000
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