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LOT 1290
Unique Massive Breechloading Punt Gun with Giant Snider Type Action
- NSN, 1 1/4 inch gauge, 66 inch bbl., grey paint/brass/casehardened finish, walnut stock. With grey painted tapering barrel with conical front sight and two-part brass sleeve in front of the breech bearing an iron swivel peg mount. The grey painted breech section
with large swing open casehardened breech block with a single large London view mark, the locking handle on the left side of the breech block and checkered finial is in its locked position when raised. Plain back action lock with folding trigger. Oak tiller shaped to fit beneath the arm of the firer. Overall length: 7 feet 7 1/4 inches. These Punt Guns were designed to kill a large quantity of birds with one shot for commercial harvesting in the19th and early 20th centuries. The Punt Gun derives its name from the small boats to which it was mounted, were usually custom designs that widely varied, and could kill over 50 waterfowl resting on the surface of the water in single shot.
CONDITION: Fine overall. The barrel and breech retain 90% grey painted finish. The breech block discolored externally and retaining 40% original faded casehardened finish internally. The lock plate and peg mount are discolored. Oak tiller with numerous storage and handling marks and blemishes. Two small stock retaining screws replaced. Mechanically very good.
Estimate: 7,000 - 11,000
LOT 1291
Unique Colossal Single Barrel Flintlock Punt Gun
with Griffin Lock - NSN, 1 1/3” gauge, 91 3/4 inch bbl., brown/bright
finish, walnut stock. Used by market hunters to take large numbers of waterfowl, the Punt Gun derives its name from the small boats to which it was mounted. The hunter would maneuver his punt slowly into optimum position and aim to kill as many birds in one shot as possible. With round tapering browned barrel with substantial tang attached to a short walnut tiller and with one large barrel band. The lock, possibly from a wall gun, is signed “GRIFFIN” beneath the priming pan. The tiller with large iron mount bar with loop and exposed trigger curled at the tip for a firing lanyard. Overall length: 8 feet 6 1/2 inches.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrel has a russet brown color with numerous scattered surface corrosion marks and wear marks from handling and storage. The simple tiller with age wear and grain cracks. The lock with clear signature, strong mainspring and light surface corrosion and discoloration. Mechanically very good.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
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