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LOT 3304
Very Fine and
Rare Cased
Engraved
Westley Richards Patent Five-Shot
Self-Cocking Percussion Revolver, Formerly Part of
the Collection of the British Small Arms School Corps,
Warminster - Serial no. 320, 36 bore cal., 6 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, checkered walnut grips. The Westley
Richards Patent percussion revolver is amongst the rarest of the
British percussion revolvers with a total production of only 323 five-
shot revolvers recorded. Serial number 323 was completed in 1857, so it
is reasonable to suppose that this revolver, number 320, was completed in the same year. The
revolver incorporates British patent nos. 14027 of March 20, 1852 (mechanism) and 993 of May 3,
1854 (rammer). With blued octagonal barrel with large blued bead front sight and signed “WESTLEY
RICHARDS. 170. NEW BOND ST. LONDON (PATENTEE)” on the top flat, the barrel extending to the
topstrap with integral off-set blued notch rear sight. The left side of the barrel with blued Westley Richards patent
rack and pinion rammer. Blued cylinder serial numbered to the revolver. Casehardened border and scroll engraved frame with blued sprung plunger hammer safety stop and blued locking catch on the left side, the right side with blued hammer. Blued scroll engraved trigger guard and butt cap, the latter with hinged trap cover. Figured walnut butt with multi-point checkering. Birmingham proof marks. In original fitted oak case lined in green baize with some
accessories including a japanned tin, a brass mounted wooden loading/cleaning rod with worm, and a ‘crank handle’ loading tool, with its Small Arms School Corps collection number disc numbered “D8/0452”.
CONDITION: Very fine. The revolver retains 75% plus original blued finish and 80% original faded casehardened finish. Engraving is
crisp and clear throughout. Butt with well-defined checkering and scattered minor age related handling blemishes. The case lid and hinges are missing. The lid was removed by the Small Arms School Corps for display purposes and lost over the years. The base of the case is generally in good condition with some age related wear and staining to the lining material. The corner joints at one end of the case base require attention. The shape of the partitions fit the revolver and also conform to other known Westley Richards cases for their patent revolvers. The japanned tin is worn and has a loose cap. The other accessories are good.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 3305
Cased Engraved
Pair of John Dickson &
Son Retailed Double Barrel Rotary
Underlever Hammer Howdah or Officer’s Pistols
-A) John Dickson & Son Double Barrel Pistol - Serial no. 1299, 577 cal.,
7 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, checkered walnut stock.
These pistols were retailed by the famous Edinburgh gunmakers John Dickson
& Son having been
bought in from
the Birmingham
trade. The serial
numbers noted
are not Dickson nu
rather numbers applied by the manufacturer
and, as was standard practice for Dickson, retailed firearms were
not entered in their records (see Donald Dallas, “John Dickson & Son. The
Round Action Gunmaker”, p. 88). Dating to circa 1870 and feature blacked
rifled barrels with single extractor, and solid concave rib with bead front sight,
numbered “1” and signed “JOHN DICKSON & SON. EDINBURGH”. Casehardened
rounded action with serpentine fence, and non-rebounding backaction locks each
signed “JOHN DICKSON & SON”. Border and scroll engraving throughout. Figured
walnut stock with checkered panels to the butt and short forearm, the last with horn tip. Turned dark horn
butt cap, and blued trigger guard. Birmingham black powder proof marks. In modern case lined in bright
green baize, the lid with John Dickson & Son leather trade label, with seven unprimed .577 cases turned
down to 1 inch. One pistol has to be placed on half cock to fit in the case.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrels retain most of the period refinished blue finish and have a clear signature. The action and locks a grey patina with traces of casehardened finish and clear engraving and signatures. The stock is fine with well- defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. The relined case is good, with some damage
to the lining from the hammer spurs.
B) John Dickson & Son Double Barrel Pistol - Serial no. 1304, 577 cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, checkered walnut stock. See “A.”
CONDITION: Very good. The barrels retain most of the period refinished blue finish, and the signature is clear. The action and locks display a grey patina along with traces of faded original case color and distinct engraving and signatures. The stock is fine with well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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