Circa 1885. Representing the ultimate stopping power for the well-heeled Victorian hunter, enormous rifles such as this found favour in India. Retailed by the famous firm of R.B. Rodda & Co. from their Calcutta premises such a grand and expensive rifle would no doubt have found its way into the armoury of a discerning Maharaja. Of considerable weight to aide with the recoil, this rifle has browned damascus twist barrels signed respectively in gold “R.B. RODDA & CO. MAKERS. BY APPOINTMENT TO H.E. THE VICEROY” and “& H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. LONDON & CALCUTTA”. A broad raised rib extends to a doll’s head at the breech end, is matted with engraved with panels of fine checkering, and fitted with a bead front sight and blued rear sight of three folding leaves each with platinum inlaid center line and respectively calibrated from “50” to “150” yards. Casehardened border and scroll engraved action with carved percussion fences and Jones patent rotary underlever. The casehardened back action non-rebounding locks each have a safety catch, are engraved en suite with the action and are signed “R.B. RODDA & CO.” in gold. The remaining furniture comprising casehardened forearm with cross bolt fastener, casehardened trigger guard, turned dark horn grip cap, sling eyes and iron butt plate engraved with a large panel of checkering and the loading instruction “CHARGE OF POWDER 10 DRMS / CURTIS & HARVEY’S NO. 6”. The flats of the barrels and watertable are struck with London black powder proof marks. Straight grain pistol grip stock with raised cheekpiece and well defined checkering to the grip and forearm.

Barrels with twist pattern and retaining 99% expertly applied rebrowned finish, the gold inlaid barrel signatures with a couple of pin-prick sized losses, the left tube towards the breech with slight flaw in the twist, rear sights have been reblued. The action retains 90% original casehardened finish, strong color in sheltered areas, faded over main exposed surfaces, some handling rubbing to tail of the upper tang. The locks each with complete gold inlaid signature and retaining traces of original casehardened finish on the plates, the hammers retaining 85% original casehardened finish. Engraving clear and sharp throughout. The trigger guard retains 75% original casehardened finish with some handling rubbing to the rear tang. The stock numerous mainly minor storage and handling marks, the forearm wood has a small insert repair to the right side tip and a repaired crack along the grain to the left edge. The checkered butt plate retains traces of original casehardened finish and is generally turning to a silver finish. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.