Page 79 - 89-FLIPBOOK2

LOT 1100
Exhibition Quality Relief Panel Scene Engraved Percussion Target Rifle Signed Anton Escherich Baltimore - NSN, 42 cal., 35 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rifle has Germanic flair and was manufactured by Anton Escherich who moved to Baltimore in the antebellum era and was trained in Bavaria.
His sons were also talented gunmakers into the cartridge era. Target rifles like this are known to have been used by sharpshooters fighting on both sides of the Civil War. This rifle’s furniture and components are very finely crafted, and all but a few are finely sculpted rather than plain. It is engraved with scrollwork accenting hunting themed vignettes throughout and has a silver initial plate on the left side of the wrist inscribed
“JAH” in ornate script. It features a recessed muzzle, globe front sight, key adjustable notch rear sight with ornate base engraved with a boar, a hunter on the upper tang ahead of the base for a now absent peep sight, a dog on the rear of the lock which is signed “A. Escherich. Baltimore” along the bottom edge, fenced breech, double set triggers, spurred trigger guard with grip extension and a stag on the flat bow, ornate cap box with two picket bullets and additional beaded blade front sight within and a hunter on the lid, and a finely figured half stock with smooth forend, checkered wrist, and a cheek rest on the left. CONDITION: Fine with crisp markings and engraving, mostly smooth gray and brown patinas throughout, some faint spotting, and minor wear. The stock is very fine and has attractive figure, sharp checkering, a few small blemishes from handling and storage, and nearly all of the original finish. The lock, set triggers, and rear sight adjustment are all mechanically excellent. This is a very attractive American target rifle with clear Old World influence in desirable out of the attic condition. Estimate: 6,500 - 9,000
LOT 1101
Engraved W.G. Rawbone, Toronto Marked Back Action Percussion
Single Shot Sporting Rifle/Shotgun Cased Set - NSN, 45 cal., 31 inch part octagon
bbl., brown/casehardened/blue/German silver finish, fancy checkered walnut stock.
Gunmaker William George Rawbone of Birmingham also had offices in Cape Town, South Africa,
and Toronto, Canada, run with his family from the mid 19th century into the 20th century. The latter
business became the Rawbone Gun & Manufacturing Co. He patented cartridge loading implements and other
designs. The 31 inch, .45 caliber rifle barrel has a broad blade front sight with a dovetailed base, a notch and folding
ladder rear sight graduated to 800 yards (elevator absent), “W.G. RAWBONE TORONTO” marked on top, scroll engraving on
the breech plug, and Birmingham proofs. The 34 inch, 14 bore shotgun barrel is similarly marked and decorated but features a bead front sight. The back action lock has scroll and border engraving and is marked “W.G. RAWBONE.” Coordinating engraving adorns the furniture. The patch/cap box has burst pattern on the iron lid and a German silver compartment. Sling eyes are on
the lower ramrod pipe on the rifle barrel and n the bottom of the buttstock. The stock has a checkered forend and wrist, horn forend cap, and shotgun butt. The length of pull is 14 1/4
inches. The set comes in a case
with a “W.G. Rawbone/Gun & Rifle/
Manufacturer/Toronto” trade label and a suite of loading and maintenance
tools, including a powder flask, punch, “W.P. MARSTON TORONTO” (gunsmith William Philip Marston 1820-1901) marked combination buckshot and conical bullet mold, and more.
CONDITION: Very good plus. The rifle barrel has a mix of original brown finish, some dark bluish staining, a newer replacement nipple, and light Damascus patterns. The shotgun barrel retains patterns of the original brown finish and has visible Damascus patterns. The trigger guard retains 30% of the original high polish blue finish, and
the lock and most of the furniture otherwise display mostly silver-gray patina with some areas turning brown.
The German silver has some oil staining. The stock is also fine and has distinct checkering, attractive grain, and
general light dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are also fine and have generally mild age and storage related wear.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
77