Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 3534

Lot 3534:Benjamin Caunt Attributed Samuel Harper Live Pigeon Shotgun

December 11th, 2022|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 3534

Lot 3534:Benjamin Caunt Attributed Samuel Harper Live Pigeon Shotgun

December 11th, 2022|Rock Island, IL
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$3,000 - $5,000
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Unique Engraved Samuel Harper 7 Bore Double Barrel Percussion Live Pigeon Shotgun Believed to Have Been Used by Benjamin Caunt, The Heavyweight Pugilist “Champion of England”

Benjamin Caunt (1815-1861), known as "Big Ben" Caunt, was the English heavyweight pugilist champion between 1838 and 1845 (with a brief loss of title to Nick Ward in 1841). Caunt fought in the bare-knuckle prize-fighting era with the Marquess of Queenberry’s rules which ushered in a degree of civility (gloves for one) some years away. There were rules in boxing by the late 18th and early 19th century, but bouts would generally continue until one participant could no longer stand, the fights sometimes lasting upwards of two hours. When Caunt took his title from Bendigo William Thompson in 1838 the contest lasted 76 rounds, when he relinquished the title to Bendigo in 1845 the fight lasted 93 rounds. Caunt certainly had the physique for the life of bare-knuckle fighter weighing in at around 18 stones (approx 250 lbs) and measuring 6 feet 2 inches. Caunt aspired to a world championship and toured America in 1841 were he was challenged by Charles Freeman of Michigan but rather than fight him became his manager and arranged a series of exhibition bouts for Freeman in England. Caunt retired from fighting in 1857, became the landlord of the Coach & Horses Inn on St. Martins Lane in London, promoted fights, and sponsored Nat Langham, a future “Champion of England”. A man used to a life of gambling and prize pots, it is little wonder that Caunt took to live pigeon shooting. The sport was enormously popular in England, and wagers on the outcome of matches could see fortunes won and lost. Caunt died in London in 1861, apparently from a cold caught at a live pigeon match. One theory as to how "Big Ben," the world famous hour bell in the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament in London, earned its nickname is that it was popularly named after "Big Ben" Caunt, perhaps influenced by the former prize fighter ringing his bell in the Coach & Horses Inn to call time at the end of the night. The gun features browned Damascus barrels with a wide concave rib. The rib is fitted with a bead front sight, the underside of each breech is struck with Birmingham proof marks, and a brass mounted ramrod with worm is housed beneath. The large patent breeches are inlaid with two platinum lines and engraved with a pheasant of the rib section. Border and scroll engraved standing breech and locks, the latter each signed “SAML. HARPER / MAKER”. Samuel Harper is recorded as active in Birmingham from 1847 until 1895. During the period which crosses over with Benjamin Caunt, Harper is noted by De Witt Bailey & Douglas A. Nie in "English Gunmakers: The Birmingham and Provincial Gun Trade in the 18th and 19th Century" on p. 39 at addresses in Newton Street and on Steelhouse Lane. The walnut half-length straight hand stock has a checkered grip, and the forearm has two barrel keys with white metal escutcheons and a lightly engraved white metal ramrod entry pipe. The iron furniture comprises a heel plate and pistol grip trigger guard. A plated plaque is inset in front of the trigger guard and engraved “BENJAMIN CAUNT/CHAMPION OF ENGLAND.” Weight 13 lbs. 2 oz. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

ConditionVery good. The barrels retain 95% rebrowned finish with some scattered corrosion marking visible beneath the finish. There is age wear and discoloration to the breeches, locks and furniture. The stock has been cleaned and exhibits some age wear to checkering, age related storage and handling marks, and bruises and staining. The silver plated finish to the named plaque is rubbed, and the engraving is clear. A giant gun for a giant man (especially by mid-19th century standards)! Mechanically very good.
Details
ManufacturerUnknown
ModelDouble Barrel
TypeShotgun
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge7 Bore
Barrel36 3/8 inch solid rib
Finishbrown/casehardened
Stockwalnut

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views1298
Catalog page273
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 1287Cased B. Sturman Percussion Double Barrel Shotgun
View Lot
Lot 3466Manufrance Double Barrel Shot & Ball Gun with Extra Barrels
View Lot
Lot 472Engraved British Westley Richards 6 Bore Percussion Shotgun
View Lot
Lot 1450Creative Art Engraved Renato Caem 410 Bore Double Barrel Shotgun
View Lot
Show More