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LOT 1295
Rare Whitworth Rifle Co. Percussion Military Match/Sharpshooter Rifle - Serial no. B187, 451 cal., 32 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. Included correspondence from the late UK rifle expert William S. Curtis states, “B187 is one in original state and was probably used in the 1861 NRA Meeting as a Queen’s Final Stage rifle.” The British National Rifle Association held their first meeting and match at Wimbledon Common in 1860 and continued to do so annually until 1889. Queen Victoria fired the first inaugural shot on July 2, 1860. She also established an annual Queen’s Prize. The winner in 1861 was Private Joseph Middleton Jopling (1831-1884) of the 3rd Middlesex Volunteers. His father was a clerk in the Horse Guards, and Jopling worked in the adjutant-general’s office and became a well-known artist. This rifle has an adjustable blade front sight, folding ladder rear sight with platinum sight lines and “WHITWORTH RIFLE Co PATENT” marked base, “WHITWORTH PATENT” on top of the breech section, Birmingham proofs and “B187” on the left at the breech, “WHITWORTH” marked lock with sliding safety and the crown and “W” trademark at the tail, some light border engraving, plain trigger, iron furniture, rifle-musket style stock with checkered wrist and grasping section, sling swivels on the upper barrel band and lower tang (latter swivel marked “R&W A”), round patchbox, and flat buttplate. In addition to use by English volunteer riflemen, the Whitworth was famously used by some Confederate sharpshooters during the American Civil War. CONDITION: Very good with patches of the period refinished brown on the barrel, mostly gray and brown patina on the balance, some light pitting, and general mild wear. The period refinished stock has crisp checkering, some minor scratches and dings, small white flecks, and a couple small filled spots on the left. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 1296
Very Scarce Collette Patent Gravity-Feed
Breechloading Saloon/Target Rifle - Serial no. VC579, 70
cal., 26 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/bright finish, walnut stock. This unusual design was premiered at the Exposition Universelle of 1855 in Paris by Liege
gunsmith Victor Colette. The cartridges were similar to those used in the Volcanic pistols and were stored above the barrel. When the hammer is cocked, the breech slides
up and a bullet is fed into the breech by tipping the muzzle up. The top of the open sided magazine has small
blade and notch sights. This rare rifle from c. 1860 has a sliding safety, rocaille fashion engraved action and furniture,
and a figured walnut buttstock with carving that coordinates with the engraving bordering the checkered grip.
CONDITION: Fine overall with most of the refinished blue/plumb brown finish remaining, bright polished action with distinct engraving and light patina, traces of light pitting, chips along the action tangs, distinct carving and checkering, and general mild handling and storage marks. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1297
Unique Engraved W.W. Greener Martini Action Sporting Rifle with Presentation Plaque - Serial no. 44148, 303 cal., 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/
silver finish, walnut stock. With tapering blued round barrel with full-length raised matted sighting rib signed “W.W. GREENER. 68. HAYMARKET. LONDON” and with bead front sight and
rear express sight graduated to 1500 yards. Action signed “W.W. GREENER” on each side and with border engraving to the
sides surrounding finely cut checkered panels, the signatures engraved onto small ribbons within the checkered panels. Blued
trigger guard and lever with horn finger rest extension. Figured 14 inch walnut pistol grip stock with checkered panels to the grip and
forearm, the latter with horn tip. The left side of the butt with large oval silver presentation plaque engraved “PRESENTED TO/P.B.S. WREY/ BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE NELLY/& PIONEER REEFS GOLD MINING/COMP.Y LTD. IN COMMEMORATION/OF THE NIGHT OF THE/24TH MARCH 1896”. The presentation refers to the beginning of the 1896 Matabeleland Rebellion which witnessed an uprising against settlers and miners by the Matabele. It is documented that the Nelly & Pioneer Reefs mine at Insiza had been attacked on 23rd March with further attacks taking place across Matabeleland until at least the 30th March. We can only presume Mr. Wrey successfully defended company property from attack by Matabele warriors on the night of the 24th March and survived to tell the tale. CONDITION: Very good. The barrel and trigger guard each have strong traces of original blued finish, but generally there is a covering of light surface corrosion. The quality of the rifle is evident from the fine detailing of the rib matting and the checkering on the sides of the action. The fine stock has well-defined checkering with scattered age related storage and handling blemishes and marks and a grain crack on the left side of the comb. The hinged trap cover on the matted heel plate has been broken off. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
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