Page 218 - 83-BOOK3

LOT 3390
Antique Engraved John Lyell & Co. .500 (Black Powder Express) Rotary Underlever Back Action Hammer
Double Rifle - Serial no. 4400, 500 cal., 28 inch solid rib bbl., b casehardened finish, walnut stock. Blued steel barrels with bead
lue/
ed blade front
and three position (marked “100”, “150”, and “200”) rear sight with platinum inlaid center lines on
the matted solid rib which is marked “JOHN LYELL & Co. ABERDEEN”, single extractor, and London black powder proofs. Both barrels are marked “38” on the flats for 38 bore (.497 inches), while it is not marked on the
rifle, it is chambered in .500 Black Powder Express. The casehardened rotary underlever, hammer back action locks and receiver display fine floral scrollwork along with “JOHN LYELL & Co.” on either lockplate. The rifle features double triggers and rebounding hammers. Beautifully figured, checkered splinter forend with engraved fittings including the Deeley latch release and pistol grip stock with horn grip cap, cheekpiece, blank initial oval, and toe and heel plates around the checkered bare butt. Length of pull 14 1/2 inches. Weight 8 lbs 10 oz. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 95% old reapplied blue finish fading to a plum/brown patina, 80% original casehardened finish, some pitting beneath the blue, and light handling evidence. The wood is very good with scattered light dings and scratches, proud upper tang, and worn but well-fined checkering. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 3391
Fine Engraved Alexander Henry .450 (Black Powder Express) Double Barrel Rotary Underlever Hammer Rifle
- Serial no. 2825, 450 cal., 28 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. The maker’s records confirm that this Best
Quality rifle was completed on November 9, 1872, for an E.N. Howey Esq. The browned Damascus chopperlump
barrels are each engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end. The raised flat rib has partial file cut matting
and is signed “ALEXR. HENRY. 12 SOUTH ST. ANDREW ST. PATENT No. 2066”. It has a bead front sight and a blued rear sight of one
standing and one folding leaf graduated to “200” yards with platinum inlaid center lines. The casehardened action has carved percussion fences and non-rebounding back action locks with blued safety catches in front of the hammers and are signed “ALEXR. HENRY”. The furniture includes a trigger guard, pistol grip cap with hinged trap cover, and heel and toe plates. There is Best Quality border and scroll engraving throughout. The underside of the barrels and water table have London black powder proof marks, and each barrel is marked “HENRY’S PATENT”. The well-figured pistol grip stock has a checkered butt, grip and forearm, and the latter has a key fastener. The underside of the butt has a sling eye, and the corresponding sling eye mounted beneath the barrels. 14 1/2 inch length of pull. Weight 9 lbs. 2 oz. CONDITION: Fine. The barrels retain 98% rebrowned finish with light corrosion pock marking visible beneath the finish at the muzzles and a clear rib signature. The action and locks have a grey patina with faded traces of original casehardened finish in sheltered areas and clear engraving throughout. The refinished stock has occasional light storage and handling marks, a concealed wedge repair on the pistol grip, some chipping at the edges, light flaking, and well-defined, original checkering. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,500
LOT 3392
Antique Engraved Holland & Holland Back Action Hammer Double Rifle in .450/400 Black Powder
cal., 26 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1878 per page 117 of Nigel
ume One - London”. Blued steel barrels with ramped, beaded blade front and two leaf (standing leaf marked both “50”
and “150” and folding leaf marked “200”) on the matted, solid rib which is marked “HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98 NEW BOND ST LONDON.”, “HENRY’S PATENT” marked on either barrel ahead of the flats, “450/400” chambering marked on the left flat, and London
black powder proofs. The casehardened hammer back action and receiver display beautiful floral scroll engraving, carved fences, nitre blue screws and firing pins, and “HOLLAND & HOLLAND” marked on either lockplate. The rifle features nitre blue double triggers and rebounding hammers. Nicely figured, multi-point checkered splinter forend with engraved fittings including the wedge fastener and
pistol grip stock with horn grip cap, blank inscription oval, cheekpiece, and matted steel buttplate. Length of pull 13 7/8 inches. Weight 8 lbs 1 oz. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 99% professionally reapplied blue on the barrels, 30% plus original case colors, nearly all of the nitre blue on the small parts, and light handling evidence. There are some slight gaps around the lock inlets and a slight chip at the rear of the upper tang, otherwise the wood is very fine with a few small scratches and sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,500
Express - Serial no. 5212, 450/400 Brown’s “British Gunmakers: Vol
216