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from the Malcolm King Collection
Massive Dangerous African Game Theme Gold Inlaid and Engraved .700 Nitro Double Rifle
Collector’s Fact
Only four J.& L. Wilkins Double Rifles are believed to have been produced in .700 Nitro Express.
LOT 1388
Magnificent Engraved & Gold Inlaid J. &
L. Wilkins .700 (Nitro Express) Double Barrel
Sidelock Ejector Dangerous Game
signed in gold, and doll’s head extension engraved with a shell. It has Birmingham
nitro proof marks. The casehardened bolstered action is signed “J.&L. WILKINS” in gold
on each side and has blued removable firing pin bushings, a blued toplever, a blued manual safety with gold inlaid “SAFE”, a long upper strap extending to the comb, and “NITRO EXPRESS/700 H&H” inlaid in gold on the underside. The casehardened back action sidelocks have gold lined cocking indicators, gold inlaid border lines, and are respectively finely inlaid and low relief engraved with a cape buffalo and a rhinoceros in gold. It also features a casehardened trigger plate, blued triggers, articulated front trigger, blued trigger guard with gold inlaid serial number, and casehardened pistol grip cap with hinged trap cover. The whole has fine classic English scroll engraving. The well-figured pistol grip stock has a 1 inch leather wrapped recoil pad, carved drop points, raised cheekpiece, checkered grip and forearm, blued Anson push-button forearm release, and
324
Rifle with Case - Serial no. 7003, 700 Nitro Express cal., 25 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue/gold/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The British brand J.& L.
Wilkins was the result of a collaboration between the late Chris Soyza, well -respected gun enthusiast and hunter who went on to become production manager at Westley Richards, and British gunsmith Bob Harvey. They specialized in rifle production during the 1990s. The present rifle, our interpretation of the serial number indicating that this was the third of a reported four total double .700 rifles made, bears the Birmingham proof date stamp for 1996. The blued chopperlump barrels are engraved with a band of stylized scrollwork at the breech end. The sunken concave rib has a matted stepped front sight block with bead sight, matted stepped quarter rib with blued standing notch rear sight with gold inlaid center line and calibrated for 50 yards, “J.&L. WILKINS & CO. ENGLAND”
a blank gold oval initial escutcheon and blued sling eye on the underside of the butt, and the corresponding sling eye is fitted beneath the barrels. It comes in a brass cornered and leather wrapped takedown case with dark green lining on the fitted interior, two snap caps, a Westley Richards & Co. oil bottle, and a takedown cleaning rod. 15 inch length of pull. Weight 16 lbs. 13 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine “factory fresh” condition with only the slightest handling and storage marks. The wood has very attractive figure patterns, sharp checkering, and slight storage and handling blemishes. Mechanically excellent. The case is also very fine and has minor marks on the exterior. A truly stunning rifle.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 55,000 - 85,000