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LOT 1324
LOT 1325
Factory Engraved Watson Brothers Boxlock
Double Rifle with Left Handed Stock and Case - Serial no. 13560, 450
Express cal., 25 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Blued
steel barrels with ramped beaded blade front and four position (three folding, one standing) rear sight on the matted solid rib, “WATSON BROTHERS.” and 29. OLD BOND STREET. LONDON.W.” marked on the right and left respectively, engraving at
the breech, and Birmingham nitro proofs “CORDITE 80 - 480 MAX”. The
Fine Engraved Jno. Rigby & Co. .577 (Black Powder Express) Jones Patent Rotary Underlever Double Barrel Big Game Hammer Rifle - Serial no. 16262, 577 BPE cal., 26
inch bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The makers have kindly confirmed that this best quality rifle was sold in July 1894 to James Hope Lloyd Verney Esq. for £52 and 10
shillings. With blacked barrels each engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end and respectively engraved “CASE .577 2 3/4 LONG. POWDER No 6 140 GRAINS” and “CANNELURED BULLET 520 GRAINS”. File cut
matted rib with bead front sight, blued back sight of one standing and one folding leaf each with platinum inlaid center line and
respectively calibrated for “150” and “250” yards, and signed “JNO. RIGBY & CO. 72 ST. JAMES’S STREET LONDON AND AT DUBLIN”.
Grey casehardened action with carved percussion fences and rebounding back action locks each with blued blanking plate where
a safety catch was fitted and signed “JNO. RIGBY & CO.” Furniture including checkered iron butt plate and blued trigger guard. Border and scroll engraved throughout. Barrels and action struck with London black powder proof marks. Finely figured 14 1/4 inch pistol grip stock with checkered grip and forearm, the latter with lever release engraved “RIGBY’S PATENT”. The underside of the butt with blank silver oval initial escutcheon and sling mount, the corresponding sling mounts is fitted beneath the barrels. Weight 10 lbs. 8.6 oz. In canvas and leather fitted case lined in dark red baize, the lid with printed John Rigby & Co. trade label, and with brown leather sling. The exterior of the lid initialed “H.F.W.”
CONDITION: Barrels retaining 97% reblacked finish, engraved details and signature clear, occasional very slight blemish visible beneath the finish. Action and locks with light grey patina, engraving crisp. Stock refinished with sharp checkering. Exterior of case with age related wear and handling marks, interior lining stained with some mothing to lid, reproduction trade label. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
casehardened boxlock action displays scroll engraving with “WATSON BROS.” banners on either side and
scroll engraved borders. The gun features bushed firing pins, double triggers, and tang mounted automatic safety with gold inlaid “SAFE”. Beautifully figured, multi-point checkered splinter forend with engraved
fittings and pistol grip stock with engraved blue grip cap, left hand raised cheekpiece, “C/A/C” in the inscription oval, and Decelerator recoil pad. Includes an aluminum takedown case with cover. Length of pull 13 7/8 inches. Weight 11 lbs 3 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally refurbished, retaining 95% blue, 20% case colors mostly in the protected areas with the remainder an attractive silver coloration, light handling marks on the wood, overall light handling evidence, and sharp checkering on the replacement stock and forend. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
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