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NOTICE THE SIZE DIFFERENCE OF THIS MASSIVE PUNT GUN IN RELATION TO THE GUN IN THE NEXT LOT
Hugh Cecil
LOT 1367
Gargantuan Cogswell & Harrison 4 Bore Single Barrel Field Patent Falling Block Duck
Shotgun - NSN, 4 bore gauge, 36 inch bbl., blue/ casehardened/brass finish, walnut stock. Built on a giant brass Field patent
action which probably dates from the 1890s, with later blued two stage round barrel engraved
r
LOT 1366
Massive Holland & Holland 1 1/2 Inch (1
Bore) London Model Rotary Underlever Punt Gun - Serial no. 7850, 1 1/2 inch cal., 104 inch round bbl., grey finish, walnut stock. This massive and rare London Model Punt Gun was built in 1883 for Hugh Cecil, 5th Earl of Lonsdale. Known
as the London Model due to it being
invented, bored, and actioned all
within London, something that no other maker could say at the time of J. H. Walsh writing
in 1884. The gun measures a staggering 115 1/2 inches from the muzzle to the rear of the stock. According to
an included letter from late Holland & Holland Managing Director Malcolm Lyell, a similar gun was purchased in 1901
by a former Maharajah of Kolhapur while visiting London. That gun was fired only once as it sunk the punt sauk along with the gun
and the Shikari who was operating it (luckily he was saved). This gun is marked on the top of the barrel in an unpainted area “HOLLAND & HOLLAND 98 NEW BOND ST. LONDON” with period London proofs in another unpainted area. The firing pin is manually cocked at the rear by pulling it back and the trigger mechanism is operated via a string. There is a brass plaque above the firing pin marked “NOTICE/HALF COCK
GUN/BEFORE OPENING/THE ACTION”. The underside of the gun features a mounting point and Colonel Hawker’s recoil frame. Per consignor supplied documentation, this gun appears to be the gun pictured on page 244 of Volume 3 of the “Lonsdale Library of Sports, Games and Pastimes” published by Lord Lonsdale in 1929. Includes a wooden display base.
CONDITION: Very fine as repainted, retaining 95% of the grey painted finish, areas showing some flaking due to age and marine environment, some oxidation on the exposed metal parts, and mild storage/display evidence. The wood is also very fine. The display base is very fine. Mechanically appears to be in fine order. Do not miss your chance to own this incredible piece!
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
“COGSWELL & HARRISON MAKERS LONDON.” and “4 BORE NITRO FOR 4” CARTRIDGES” towards the breech, and with large brass bead front sight. Action with casehardened sidelever and trigger, the left side of the action engraved “COGSWELL & HARRISON/FIELDS PATENT” and the underside of the action engraved “4 BORE NITRO/FOR/4” CARTRIDGES”. Bright breech block and hammer. Figured 14 1/2 inch semi-pistol grip stock with checkered grip and replacement forearm, and partially checkered blued steel heel plate. Birmingham nitro proof marks with date code for 1984. CONDITION: Very good as professionally refurbished with the barrel retaining near 100% blued finish with clear engraved details and minor storage blemishes and scratches. The action shows some minor age related tarnishing and light surface marking, engraving clear. Stock with sharp checkering, a epair wedge on the pistol grip, and storage and handling marking and blemishes mostly confined to the butt. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
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