GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
VERY FINE JOHN DICKSON HAMMER DOUBLE EXPRESS RIFLE.DICKSONSXS HAMMER RIFLE3261.500-.450 BPECal. .500-.450 BPE (?) (Case base dimensions are for .500 but groove diameter is .477.) Unusual 25" fine Damascus chopper lump bbls are fitted with full length file cut rib mounted with one standing, three folding leaf express rear sight marked for 50 through 200 yards. Tops of sight leaves are scroll engraved, and tops of bbls are engraved "John Dickson & Son" "63 Princes Street Edinburgh". Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs for 50 bore. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with hammer logos and patent "1511" (referring to this early use of chopper lump construction on Damascus tubes). A large sling eye is installed on bottom rib. Round bodied action has Jones type underlever, coupled with a slide and drop mechanism similar to those used and patented by Lancaster and Dougal, with breech ends of bbls engaging round bosses on breechface. On this rifle the forend iron is captive on action. Non-rebounding back locks are fitted with round bodied serpentine hammers with tall spurs. Action and locks are engraved with 80% coverage well cut varying sized scroll with "John Dickson & Son" on the tail of each lockplate. Steel trigger guard has curved and checkered spur forming pistol grip. SN is on end of tang. Nicely marbled European walnut buttstock measures 14-1/2" over checkered wood butt with engraved steel heel and toe plates. Checkering is flat top, and has mullered borders. A small swept shadow line cheekpiece is on left side of stock, and vacant silver oval is on toe line. Bbls attach to forend with captive side nail through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. Head of nail fits almost flush with left escutcheon. Drop at heel: approx 2-13/16", drop at comb: approx 1-15/16". Weight: 8 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". CONDITION: Fine. Bbls retain approx 80% of what appears to be orig brown, with good definition to pattern, with some light overall scratches and considerable scratching at tip of forend from attempts to remove captive forend from bbls. Action and locks retain traces of orig case hardening color where protected, but are mostly an overall pleasing pewter gray. Operating lever retains about 25% of its orig blue. Stocks retain most of what appears to be their orig finish with numerous marks and scratches, with some oil rubbed in over the years for maintenance. Checkering is lightly worn. Bores are very fine, bright and shiny, with a few scattered pits. Action is tight. Right bbl is off face. Locks are crisp. This rifle is listed by SN in JOHN DICKSON & SON THE ROUND ACTION GUNMAKER by Donald Dallas, as a .500 bore with 28" bbls and back locks, which was sold on 24 Aug 1874. 50203-1 MGM280 (5,500-9,500)