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LOT 3300
Very Scarce Cased P. Webley & Son “Dual System” Double Action Percussion Revolver with Factory Interchangeable Centerfire Cylinder - Serial no. 1192, 54 bore cal., 5 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This revolver is a scarce example of the crossover from percussion to cartridge loading systems and provided a solution regarding the supply (or more likely lack of supply) of the then new-fangled centerfire cartridges which were rapidly to become the dominant type of ammunition. For a short period of time, 1865 to 1866, P. Webley & Son produced what is known as the “Dual System” where a revolver was supplied with both a percussion and a centrefire cylinder. The present revolver has a blued octagonal barrel with crescent blade shaped front sight, blued frame signed “P. WEBLEY & SON” and “ST. JAMES’S, LONDON” on the grooved top strap, and fitted with a rammer on the left side and a cartridge extractor on the right side. The frame also includes a hinged loading gate. Checkered walnut grip and iron pommel with small lanyard loop. London black powder proof marks, the right side of the frame with “W&S” winged bullet mark. In original fitted oak case lined in blue baize containing the blued centerfire cylinder serial numbered to the revolver and with suite of accessories including “WD” 54 bore brass bullet mold, pewter oiler, turned bone pot containing a spare percussion nipple, brass mounted copper powder flask, japanned tins for Eley percussion caps (with secondary label noting for Webley revolvers), patent lubricating bullets (the label again noting for Webley revolvers), and lubricating paste, and with loading rod with worm, turnscrew and nipple wrench with pricker. For further reading on this unusual revolver from the dawn of the cartridge era see p. 52 of Gordon Bruce and Christian Reinhart’s “Webley Revolvers.” CONDITION: Fine. The revolver retains 75% original bluing on the barrel and the two cylinders. The frame retains traces of original bluing in sheltered places with the remainder with some discoloration. Markings are clear with the exception of the winged bullet logo. The checkering on the grip is well-defined and would improve with gentle cleaning and reoiling. Cylinder lockup/timing needs adjustment; otherwise, mechanically excellent. The case is in very good condition with some wear to the partition lining from the revolver. The key escutcheon is missing, and the lid lining has been replaced. Externally some of the screws around the edge of the lid require tightening, and one is missing. The accessories are generally in excellent condition: the japanned tins retains much of the blacked finish, the labels are clear, and the powder flask retains its correct unpolished lacquered finish. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250 LOT 3301 Very Fine Cased John Adams Patent Model 1867 (Mk. II) Six-Shot Double Action Revolver - Serial no. 1833, 450 cal., 6 inch octagon bbl., blue/bright finish, checkered walnut grips. With blued octagonal sighted barrel with stamped signature “ADAMS’S PATENT SMALL ARMS CO., 391, STRAND, LONDON”, blued cylinder and blued frame, the last stamped “ADAMS’S PATENT No.1833” on the right side and with ‘JA’ trademark. The Adams Patent Small Arms Co. are recorded at 391 Strand between 1864 and 1874. Bright hammer, blued trigger guard and butt cap, the last with small lanyard loop, and checkered walnut butt. London black powder proof marks. In fitted oak case lined in green baize, the lid with printed W. Watson & Son trade label, with pewter oiler. CONDITION: Very fine. The revolver retains 85% plus bright original high polish blued finish with some scattered minor patches of flaking and light rubbing to hard edges. The butt is also very fine with sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good, with renewed lining, slight staining on the trade label, and two wear patches to the lining from the revolver. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 3302
Scarce Finely Engraved Scottish Retailed Daw Patent Six-Shot Double Action Percussion Revolver with Case - Serial no. 1264, 34 cal., 4 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut grips. This
rare British
revolver is of a
type generally
known as Daw patent revolvers although the design is actually that of Pryse & Cashmore covered by British patent no. 2018 of September 6, 1855. It is thought that an arrangement was made between George Daw and the designers prior to their patent protection expiring in 1858 with production either being entirely manufactured by the patentees on Daw’s behalf or at a minimum supplied “in the white” for finishing at Daw’s London premises. This particular revolver was retailed by Kirkwood of Montrose. With blued octagonal sighted barrel signed “T. KIRKWOOD, MONTROSE” on the topstrap. Cylinder and blued frame each numbered “1264”, the front face of the cylinder numbered from “1” to “6”. Bright linked rammer beneath the barrel with casehardened block. The barrel, frame and furniture with fine border and scroll engraving. Walnut butt with bold diamond pattern checkering and a blank rectangular silver initial escutcheon. London proof marks. In original fitted oak case lined in blue baize. With some accessories comprising a fine brass mounted lacquered copper Dixon & Sons powder flask, two percussion cap tins,
a percussion nipple wrench, pewter oiler and brass mounted loading rod with worm. For further reading on these scarce revolvers, see A.W.F. Taylerson, R.A.N. Andrews and J. Frith, “The Revolver 1818-1865”, 1968, chapter XV.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and frame retain 60% plus original blue finish, clear engraving, scattered scratches, and small patches of loss of finish. The cylinder has slight traces of original casehardened finish and patches of surface discoloration throughout. The trigger guard is mostly a light grey patina with traces of blue finish on the inner surface. The grip is also fine and has well-defined checkering with some scattered age related handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are very good, with some wear to case lining and some partitions loose.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3303
Fine Engraved Purdey Retailed Beaumont-Adams Patent Five-Shot
Double Action Percussion Pocket Revolver - Serial no. 33,607.R., 120 bore cal., 3 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/
bright finish, walnut grips. With blued octagonal sighted barrel stamped with London Armoury Co. “L.A.C.” mark on the
left upper barrel flat, retailer signature “JA.S PURDEY NO. 314 1/2 OXFORD ST.T LONDON” along the topstrap and rammer on the left side. Blued cylinder, frame marked “B.17,860/ ADAMS PATENT / 33,607.R.” within ribbons on the right side. Blued trigger guard and butt cap. The whole with fine border and scroll engraving. Figured walnut butt with checkering, the spine with blank oval silver initial escutcheon. London proof marks.
CONDITION: Very fine. The revolver retains 80% of its original deep high polished blued finish, and russet patina is visible where finish has flaked and within some of the engraved lines. The hammer is very discolored. The stock is also very fine. The trigger return spring is soft; otherwise,
mechanically functions fine.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
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