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LOT 3409
Rare Game Scene Engraved Westley Richards .577/.450 (Martini-Henry) Boxlock Ejector Double
Rifle with Extra 12 Bore Shotgun Barrel Set - Serial no. 15492, 577-450 gauge, 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1896 per page 128 of Nigel Brown’s “British
Gunmakers: Volume One - London”. Blued Damascus steel barrels with ramped,
beaded blade front sight and six leaf express rear sight graduated out to 600
yards, ejectors, and rib marked “WESTLEY RICHARDS. 118 NEW BOND ST.
LONDON” and “FOR MARTINI CARTRIDGE. SPECIAL METFORD RIFLING.” The
Anson & Deeley boxlock action displays beautiful floral scroll engraving
surrounding “WESTLEY RICHARDS” banners on either side, an oval lion scene
on the underside, and a rhinoceros on the trigger guard. The rifle features
double triggers, Deeley patent ejectors, and tang mounted automatic safety
switch with gold inlaid “SAFE”. Beautifully figured, multi-point checkered
splinter forend with Deeley release and engraved fittings and round knob
pistol grip stock with “T.W.B.” in initial oval, steel toe and heel plates over the
checkered bare butt, and a small rack number is printed on the right side of the butt.
Includes an extra set of 30 inch side by side 12 gauge shotgun barrels with 2008 dated
London reproofs and 70 mm (2 3/4 inch) chambers that are numbered “15492”. Barrel measurements for shotgun set (R/L): bore diameter
9 inches from the breech both proved at 18.7 mm (.736 inches) and measured at .738/.736 inches; choke constriction .014/.032 inches; minimum wall thickness .022/.023 inches. Length of pull 14 5/16 inches. Weight (with rifle barrels) 9 lbs 8 oz.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining 90% original blue turned to an attractive brown patina with a strong Damascus pattern, strong traces of case colors on the action, a few small spots of pitting, and mild handling evidence. The wood is also very good with numerous scratches and dents concentrated at the toe and crisp checkering. The extra barrel set is also very good. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 7,000 - 11,000
LOT 3410
Rare Engraved W.W. Greener 20 Bore “Facile Princeps” Double Barrel “Grade FH70” Ejector Shotgun - Serial no.
68091, 20 gauge, 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This fine small gauge Greener shotgun was manufactured circa 1927 during the “Golden Age” of British gun making. The blued barrels have a raised concave rib
signed “W.W. GREENER. MAKER. 40. PALL MALL. LONDON. S.W. WORKS. ST. MARYS SQUARE. BIRMINGHAM”,
a front bead sight, and engraved with scrollwork at the breech ends. The casehardened bolstered treble
grip action is signed “W.W. GREENER” on each side and has serpentine fences, Greener patent cross bolt
and blued toplever, blued Greener side safety with gold inlaid “SAFE,” and blued trigger guard engraved
“GRADE FH70”. The whole is finely engraved with classic English scrollwork. The underside of the barrels
and water table are struck with Birmingham nitro reproof marks and Greener “Elephant” trademarks, and
the bottom of the rib is import marked under the forearm.. The well-figured walnut straight hand stock
has a grooved bare butt, horn inlaid diamond drop points, panels of multipoint checkering on the grip
and forearm, and the latter has a Deeley and Edge fastener and a dark horn tip. The butt has a gold oval
initial escutcheon engraved with a complex monogram. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L); chambers
proved at 2 1/2 inches; bore diameter 9 inches from the breech reproved at (definitive mark not visible but
almost certainly 20)20 (.615 inches) and both measured at .621 inches; choke constriction .012/.012 inches; minimum wall thickness .024/.020 inches; 1 9/16 inch drop at comb; 2 5/16 inch drop at heel; 14 1/2 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 5 lbs 3 oz.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrels retain 95% reblued finish with clear rib signature and breech engraving. The action has 60% strong original casehardened finish with clear engraving. The trigger guard has traces of blued finish and worn engraving on grip. The stock has an attractive figure pattern, softened checkering, and scattered storage and handling marks throughout. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
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