December 17, 2026 The Estate Of Whitefoord Cole II: Firearms & Militaria
The live portion of this session begins on Thursday, December 17, 2026.
Lot #1233:
(A) CASED R.B. RODDA HAMMER .577 EXPRESS DOUBLE RIFLE.
Dovetail lump barrels fit with a bead front sight dovetailed vertically at the muzzle, express rear sight with three leaf rear sight, one standing leaf and two folding leaves, all fit with silver express sights, and demarcated for 100, 150, and 200 yards. Engraved "R.B. Rodda & Co London" over right tube, left with "And 7 & 8 Dalhousie Square Calcutta" on left. Sling eye on island sweated to underside of rib. Barrel flats with with Birmingham proofs for a .577 Express, tubes marked "Henry's Rifling A&T" ahead of flats, and "48821" adjacent forearm loop. Splinter forearm with reinforced tip and point pattern checkering with mullered borders, key fastened through a pair of escutcheons. Round bodied action engraved with acanthus scrollwork, rebounding hammers, and a Jones underlever. Peninsula locks with "R.B. Rodda & Co" at the top, with acanthus scrollwork and beadwork border engraving, tall serpentine cocks engraved en suite. Reddish walnut stock with a straight grain is checkered in a point pattern with a mullered border about the wrist, a pistol grip fit with a horn grip cap, a sling eye on a screw and a silver oval at toe line, oval inscribed in Devanagari with a rack number. Orange leather recoil pad with English style covered screws. In a leather wrapped case lined in blue, with R.B. Rodda & Co trade label in lid, a charge card numbered to this gun, and containing accessories comprising Rodda bullet mold and sprue cutter, also numbered in Devanagari to match the gun, and numbered on a leg with gun's serial number, a selection of cast bullets, a custom wooden handled tool, and case handle, detached. Weight 11 lbs 6.5 oz. CONDITION: Very good, as clearly well experienced in India. Barrels with the majority of the original bluing, with scattered handling marks, rubs, and marks from the field, some silvering. Splinter forearm with scattered handling marks and a small sliver missing on right side above the escutcheon. Action with much case colors, mostly in protected areas, with balance gunmetal grey, mixed with scattered handling marks and discoloration. Replacement buttstock is well fit with some scattered handling marks and a grain check along the top of the comb near heel. Case good with age related distress and rubs, handle detached as aforementioned, with general wear and tear to lining. Trade label and charge card legible but foxed, with heavier chipping to trade label. Mechanically fine, bores excellent with strong rifling. A very attractive experienced rifle.
Accessories
Case, Accessories
Drop at Comb
Approx. 1 - 3/4"
Drop at Heel
Approx. 2 - 5/8"
Length of Pull
14 - 3/8" over pad, 13 - 1/2" to wood, cast off