June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
Rifles of this caliber were used for tiger and elephant hunts in Africa. This example was made by Henry Tatham, who worked as a gunmaker and Sword Cutler at Charing Cross between 1834 and 1860, when he died, according to "Gunmakers of London: 1350-1850" by Howard L. Blackmore. Damascus steel barrels with three groove rifling and wide solid rib engraved "TATHAM, 37 CHARING CROSS, LONDON." Features a folding sliding leaf sight graduated from 200 to 1000 yards and a front post sight. Barrels English proofed and numbered on bottoms. Hooked patent breeches with silver clean-out valves and engraved scrolls and borders. With original steel and brass ramrod. Twin percussion locks marked "HENRY TATHAM/LONDON" and decorated with scroll engraving and detailed borders, dolphin head form hammers engraved en suite. Engraved tang with integral shields. Features double triggers and finely engraved steel furniture, triggerguard tang and stock behind tang are serial numbered "7014". Sling swivel lugs on bottom of buttstock and on center ramrod ferrule. English straight stock of partially figured walnut and checkered panels around wrist. Vacant silver oval-shaped wrist escutcheon. The rifle is complete with its original oak case with vacant brass escutcheon on lid and two brass retaining hooks. Complete with case key, the partitioned interior is lined in green beize and the inside of the lid displays the original Henry Tatham London trade label with some staining and losses. Accessories include a large brass single cavity .60 caliber projectile mold serial numbered to the rifle and stamped "J.G", a nipple wrench, nipple protectors, wood handled brass round ball mold, period and most likely original leather sling with brass fittings, a leather covered "Sykes" fire-proof powder flask, a Dixon & Sons marked oiler, a steel mainspring vice, two period English cap tins, a wood handled screwdriver, a ball starter, brass powder measures, a wooden brass mounted cleaning rod, and several original Minie' balls cast in the brass mold. The rifle is in excellent condition, barrels retain most of original brown finish, thinning in some areas. Breeches have slightly darkened case colors and nipples are perfect. Locks and hardware still retain a bright polished surface. All markings and engraving crisp, actions strong and perfect. Stock excellent with a more contemporary coat of varnish over original finish, a few scattered light storage marks and some minor staining. Case very good with some age cracks and scattered marks on lid. Interior has some fading, wear, and losses due to age. Accessories very good to excellent. This is a most complete and fine set by a high quality English gunmaker. The set displays well and is in astonishing condition.
Accessories
Case, Accessories
Caliber/Bore
.60 Rifled, both