March 15-17, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/15/2022
These types of pistols were favored by those looking to protect themselves from dangerous game animals, predominantly British officers who were big game hunting in India. This example has unusually small .54 caliber barrels; most are found north of .60 caliber. Small bead front on concave smooth game rib with scalloped open section of tang for a rear sight. Top of barrels stamped "EX". Both locks with waterproof bridled pans, roller frizzens. Swan neck cocks. Stock decorated with simple wire inlay in floral pattern, central cross, across smooth spine. Two panels of point pattern checkering at wrist, flared octagonal butt. Buttcap decorated with simple floral. Trigger guard decorated with a simple engraving of a bird (pheasant?), florals, urn finial. Horn tipped ramrod is frozen in channel and retained by single ferrule that feeds into a reinforced mouth with pointed finial decorated with simple line engraving. Diminutive double triggers. CONDITION: Very good, barrels essentially dove grey with some flashes of browning and oxidation throughout; other metal essentially dove grey with some age related staining and old inactive oxidation. Wire inlay is missing a few sections. Wood is very good with some rubbing and high edges. One chip and one crack at rear of right lock, one crack at rear of left lock. Checkering is fine and sharp, smoothened over time, with a few heads missing on right panel. Action works appropriately when operated by hand, bores are very good, smooth throughout with some patches of old oxidation. EW
Caliber/Bore
.54 Smoothbore