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LOT 340
Antique Engraved E. M. Reilly .500 Black Powder Express Back Action Hammer Double Rifle - Serial no. 19954, 500 Black Powder Express cal., 26 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Browned Damascus steel barrels with beaded blade front and two leaf (marked “100” and “200”) rear sight on the matted, flat solid rib which is marked “E. M. REILLY & Co. NEW OXFORD STREET, LONDON & RUE SCRIBE, PARIS”, “HENRY’S PATENT” marked on either barrel ahead of the flats, single extractor, and London black powder proofs. Both flats are proof marked “39” for 39 bore, while not marked this rifle is chambered in .500 black powder express. The casehardened, back action hammer locks and receiver display
classic tight scroll engraving with E. M. REILLY & Co. LONDON” on either lock. The gun features double triggers, carved fences, rebounding
hammers, and individual hammer lock safeties. Beautifully figured, multi-point checkered splinter forend with engraved fittings including the wedge fastener and pistol grip stock with horn grip cap, cheekpiece, gold inscription oval marked with a stylized “B”, and blued steel buttplate. Length of pull 14 7/16 inches. Weight 8 lbs 11 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 90% original brown finish with strong Damascus pattern on the barrels and some staining along the rib, 95% original case colors, and mild handling evidence. The trigger guard, tangs, and barrel release all retain the majority of their blue. The wood is also very fine with scattered dings and scratches, slightly oversized buttplate
showing some blue loss, some light chipping around the edges, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000 LOT 341 Fine Engraved Lang & Hussey .577 (Black Powder Express) Double Barrel Rotary Underlever Big Game Hammer Rifle with Case - Serial no. 11031, 577 BPE cal., 27 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This fine double big game rifle was built in circa 1897-1898 during the latter period of the partnership between James Lang, son of Joseph, and Henry Hussey who until 1894 had been an assistant manager at Holland & Holland. The blued barrels are respectively signed “LANG & HUSSEY LD.” and “102. NEW BOND STREET. LONDON,” and each breech end is engraved with a band of stylized foliage. The raised flat file cut matted rib has a bead front sight, blued rear sight of one standing notch sight and two folding notch leaf sights graduated to 300 yards each with platinum inlaid center line, and doll’s head extension. The casehardened action has carved percussion fences, Jones patent underlever, casehardened trigger plate, and casehardened trigger guard. The casehardened back action rebounding locks each have a blued safety catch in front of the hammer and is signed “LANG & HUSSEY LD.” There is border engraving with lines of running foliage and rosettes on and around the screwheads. The underside of the barrels and water table are struck with London black powder proof marks. The well-figured 14 inch walnut pistol grip stock has a slender rubber recoil pad, raised cheekpiece, and checkered grip and forearm, and the latter has a lever fastener. The underside of the butt has a blank silver oval initial escutcheon and sling eye, and a corresponding sling eye is fitted beneath the barrels. Weight 10 lbs. 5 oz. It comes in a brass cornered, leather fitted case lined in green baize with a black leather Joseph Lang & Son trade label with gilt lettering inside the lid and the exterior of the lid marked for “LT. COL. O.Y. HIBBERT./1st. R.W. KENT. RGT.” The bottom of the case has a “COX & KING’S/(AGENTS), LTD/BOMBAY” markings. The case markings indicate it was owned by English officer Oswald Yates Hibbert (1882-1966). He reached colonel in the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order during the first Mesopotamian compaign of World War I, was held as a prisoner along with 226 other men from his unit by the Ottomans after the Siege of Kut-al-Amara (only 6 survived the harsh conditions), remained in the Army in the interwar era in India and Ireland after recovering from the privations of captivity, retired, and returned to service during World War II as the commander in the North West region of Britain and ended his career at the rank of brigadier. CONDITION: Fine. The barrels retain 95% reblued finish with some scattered age related marks, handling blemishes, and softened signatures. The action and locks retain 50% original faded casehardened finish and crisp engraving. The stock has minor age related storage and handling marks and well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. The relined case has exterior age stains and marks, restored lid ends, and replacement straps. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,500
LOT 342
Engraved Alexander Henry .450 (Black Powder Express) Double Barrel Rotary Underlever Hammer Rifle - Serial no. 6499, 450 black powder express cal., 28 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The maker’s records confirm that this second quality rifle was completed in 1891 for Manton & Co. It has browned Damascus barrels engraved with bands of stylized foliage at the breech end, a flat partially file cut matted rib signed “ALEXR. HENRY. EDINBURGH AND LONDON”, bead front sight, and rear sight of one standing notch
sight and one folding notch leaf sight. The action has carved percussion fences, border and scroll engraving, and rebounding back action locks with
safety catches and signed “ALEXR. HENRY.” The underside of the barrels and water table are struck with London black powder proof marks. The well-figured walnut pistol grip stock has a checkered grip and forearm, dark horn cap, lever forearm fastener, and a replacement rubber recoil pad. The underside of the butt fitted with a sling eye, and the
corresponding sling eye is fitted beneath the barrels. 14 1/2 inch length of pull. Weight 8 lbs. 2 oz.
CONDITION: Fine with 75% plus of the older rebrowned finish on the barrels remaining, some spots of discoloration, light traces of original case colors on the action and locks, mottled gray patina on the balance, distinct engraving and markings, and minor overall wear. The refinished wood has crisp checkering, attractive grain, and minor marks and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,500
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