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LOT 1224
Well-Documented Finely Engraved Silver Mounted Flintlock Gun by Griffin & Tow with Gold and Silver Damascened Barrel - NSN,
20 gauge, 53 inch round bbl., brown/silver/gold/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This ornate and distinctive gun is featured on pages 83-85
of “British Gunmakers: Messrs Griffin & Tow and W. Bailes 1740-1790” by W. Keith Neal and D. H. L. Back and is described on page 84 where
it is explained that the silver and gold damascened barrel has a “Gosain Het Ram Gir Mahant Sanah 1183” inscription “Mahant indicates the
head of a Shairite monastic order and the year of 1182 is the equivalent of 1769-1770. The barrel features a bead front sight, notch rear sight
at the breech, ornate floral pattern damascening in silver and gold, and a gold lined vent. The standing breech is floral scroll engraved and
is grooved. The lock has coordinating engraving and “GRIFFIN/& TOW” and a frizzen roller. The mounts are silver and feature an acorn trigger
guard finial, floral, scroll, and border engraving. The trigger guard tang and buttplate have London hallmarks including the “b” date code for
1777 and a “IK” silversmith mark. and the crest and “RG” on the wrist escutcheon are noted by Neal and Back as for a member of the Gregory
family. The stock has a takedown joint in the forend and raised relief shell carving at the breech. The metal William Keith Neal Collection tag
numbered “G130” is included. When Neal’s collection was sold the owner was identified as Robert Gregory (1727-1810) and as passed down
through the Gregory family to Major R. G. Gregory and was purchased by Neal at auction in 1980. Robert Gregory went to India as a young man
c. 1747 as a independent merchant and made a fortune before returning to England c. 1766. He served as a director of the East India Company in
1769 to 1782 and also briefly as chairman before retiring due to poor health. He owned the Coole Park Estate near Gort in County Galway, Ireland. He served as a member of
parliament for Maidstone in 1768-1774 and for Rochester, Kent, 1774-1784 and opposed the North administration and war against the American colonies.
CONDITION: Fine with distinct silver and gold damascene decoration displaying minor wear, mix of plum brown finish and dark patina on the balance of the barrel, mild pitting
concentrated at the vent, dark gray and brown patina on the lock, minor oxidation, attractively aged patina and distinct engraving on the mounts, and fairly minor wear. The
stock is also fine and has dings and scratches, distinct relief carving, a very faint hairline crack at the nose of the lock, and general mild wear. Mechanically functions.
Provenance: Robert Gregory; By Descent Through the Gregory Family to Major R. G. Gregory; The W.
Keith Neal Collection; A Private Collection.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 1225
Significant Selection of Eleven Special Books from Norman R. Blank’s Reference Library,
Including Several Author Presentation Inscribed Volumes - The lot contains eleven books, several
of which feature firearms from The Norman R. Blank Collection, and many of which are signed by the
authors. Five of the books are special green cover copies of the following books by W. Keith Neal and
D. H. L. Back signed by both authors: “Forsyth & Co.: Patent Gunmakers”, “British Gunmakers: Their
Trade Cards, Cases & Equipment, 1760-1860”, “Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790: The History of John
Twigg and the Packington Guns”, “The Mantons: Gunmakers”, and “The Mantons: Supplement”. Also
included are: a special leather bound copy of “Great British Gunmakers 1540-1740” signed by authors W.
Keith Neal and D. H. L. Back, a special leather bound copy of “Spanish Guns and Pistols” by W. Keith Neal
inscribed “To Norman Blank with all good wishes from the author. W. Keith Neal. 15-10-1958”, No. 7 of a
special private printing of thirty copies of “’M.B’ - The Gunmakers’ Silversmith: A Question of Attribution”
by Bernard Dickens signed to Norman and Jacqueline Blank by the author, “Early Firearms of Great Britain
and Ireland from the Collection of Clay P. Bedford” from the Metropolitan Museum of Art” inscribed “To
Norm Blank Friendly Competitor for English Arms Clay Bedford 12-6-71.”, a standard copy of “The Mantons:
Gunmakers” by W. Keith Neal and D. H. L. Back inscribed “For Norman - with every fond wish from Keith”
and also signed “W. Keith Neal 1-2-67.”, and “Shooting” by Alexander Innes Shand (1832-1907) with a note
from William R. Dawson wishing Norman R. Blank a happy 70th birthday and duck shoot.
CONDITION: The books are generally very good or better with age and shelf related wear and some wear
from use. This is a wonderful selection from Norman R. Blank’s extensive library and demonstrates his
keen study of antique arms.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
As pictured & described in British
Gunmakers: Messrs Griffin & Tow and W.
Bailes (1740-1790 by Neal & Back
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