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LOT 3286
Rare Engraved Purdey Percussion “Chillingham Musket-Rifle” Documented as Made for Lord
Tankerville and Lord Ossulton from the Stand of Arms at Chillingham Castle - Serial no. 34, 16 bore
cal., 32 inch round bbl., brown/bright/German silver finish, walnut stock. These “Chillingham Musket-Rifles” are discussed on
pages 106 and 107 of “The Early Purdeys” by Unsworth, and No. 29 is shown in Plates 92 an 93. Unsworth notes that sixteen of the
thirty-five rifles have been located and that no. 34 and 35 are different from 1-33 and cost “£15 5s each and were clearly intended for the
use of Lord Tankerville and his son, Lord Ossulton, whereas the remainder were for the ‘other ranks’.” The present example having almost certainly
been made for Lord Ossulton. They are listed in the records for June 19, 1833, as “2 Black Stock Musket Rifles, Nos. 34 and 35 with Silver Furniture, Hair
Triggers, etc.” The rifle features a browned Damascus barrel with a block mounted blade front sight and three-leaf rear sight graduated for 100, 150, and
200 yards and equipped with platinum sight lines; engraved borders on the breech plug which has a deflector over the pierced platinum plug, and
Birmingham proofs and “34” on the underside of the barrel. “34” is repeated on the breech hook, inside of the lockplate, and trigger guard tang. The lock is
signed “PURDEY” and has a sliding half-cock safety and scroll and martial engraving. The German silver mounts feature coordinating engraving. The rifle is
equipped with a single set trigger. The stock has a checkered wrist, and the ramrod has a horn tip.
CONDITION: Fine overall as refurbished with 90% plus brown remaining, silver-gray patina and faint pitting on the lock, aged patina on the mounts, glossy finish on the stock, distinct
checkering, filed sling swivel hole, and generally minor wear, including some dings and scratches on the stock. Mechanically functions.
Provenance: Lord Tankerville and Lord Ossulton’s Armory at Chillingham Castle; A Private Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 7,000
LOT 3288
British Edward Whistler
Volunteer/Military Match Two-
Band Percussion Rifle - NSN, 577 cal., 32 1/8 inch round bbl., brown/
casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. This c. 1860s rifle is similar to the British Pattern 1856 rifles but in a higher grade. The Damascus barrel has a block mounted
blade front sight, saber bayonet lug, and a notch and ladder rear sight. The lock is marked “E. WHISTLER/11. STRAND. LONDON”. The stock has checkering on the forend and wrist, and sling
swivels are mounted to the upper barrel band and butt.
CONDITION: Very good overall with much of the period refinished brown and distinct Damascus patterns along the barrel, traces of original case colors and blue finish and otherwise smooth brown patina,
slight oxidation, and fairly minor overall wear including some dents and scratches on the stock. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 3287
Engraved Joseph Harkom Back Action Percussion Target Rifle with Smith & Davenport American Cast Steel Barrel - Serial no. 332, 41
cal., 28 1/2 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. This is a very interesting mid-19th century percussion target rifle
from gunmaker Joseph Harkom of Edinburgh (working circa 1840 to 1875 and at 32 Princes Street from about 1856). The barrel has a beaded
blade front sight mounted on a matted ramp, dovetailed notch rear sight, matted breech section signed “J-Harkom Edinburgh” in script, and
a casehardened breechplug with scroll engraving and “332” on the hook and underside. The lower right flat of the barrel is marked “SMITH &
DAVENPORT/WORCESTER, MASS/CAST-STEEL”. The upper tang has a hole for mounting an absent peep sight. The detented back action lock is
signed “J. HARKOM” below the hammer and has a sliding safety and scroll engraving. The mounts feature further scroll and foliate engraving
and include a compartment in the grip cap and a small patchbox with patches inside. The pistol grip half-stock has a dark horn forend cap,
checkering on the forend and grip, and an oval cheekpiece. The rifle is listed on the included 6/18/63 dated receipt from Jackson Arms to
Norman R. Blank. Barrels by Smith & Davenport are found on fine Pennsylvania rifles.
CONDITION: Fine with 30% of the original brown, casehardened, and blue finish remaining, gray and brown patina on the balance, mild
oxidation concentrated towards the muzzle, and
mild wear. The stock is fine and has some minor
chips/flakes at the edges, crisp checkering, and
mild scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000