December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2023
Thomas Horsley was one of the best makers outside of London, and his quality of work was so high that he was called the "Purdey of York". 27 - 7/8" chain Damascus chopper lump barrels are equipped with a bead front sight and 3-leaf folding rear sight with leaves for 100, 200, and 300 yards with silver express lines, on a nicely matted solid, flat, rib. Right barrel is signed "THOMAS HORSLEY, MAKER, YORK", left is "PATENT 2410 & 1138"; these are the patents for his pull-back break action and his strikers. Sling eye soldered to underside of rib. Underside of barrels with view and proof marks, matching serial numbers, and a hammer over "573 / PATENT". Splinter forearm with concealed iron, small inlaid forearm tip, and retained by a barrel key that feeds through a single escutcheon (key with matching serial number on underside). Action flat with Holsley's Patent information, serial number, view proof; case colored bar-in-wood action with squared-off fences, back sliding stalking safeties, signed "Thos Horsley's Patent" on both sides, and appropriate patent numbers on hammer and toplever. Oversized trigger guard protecting double triggers with light line engraving en suite, engraved with serial number on bottom; tang extends all the way to the horn grip cap. Nicely figured and lightly fiddleback walnut stock with pistol grip, teardrops behind the action, and checkered about the wrist with mullered borders. Sling eye mounted to toe line, behind grip cap, vacant silver oval on toe line, and steel buttplate with light line engraving en suite. CONDITION: Excellent. Barrels with bold definition to pattern, browning thinning somewhat, particularly to muzzle, with some handling marks that are through to silver, particularly on underside of barrels. Stocks are very good with handling marks and impressions throughout, one notable long ping on left side of stock, and some abraded heads, but free of cracks or chips. Action with much case color, some silvering to edges, but attractive. Fences with high polish English blue on edges, but majority is gunmetal grey. Mechanically fine, bores are excellent with strong Metford-style rifling. An excellent example from a scarce, highly desirable maker.
Manufacturer
Thomas Horsley