November 5th & 6th 2016 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/5/2016
Side by side steel Damascus barrels with solid rib marked "S. GRANT 67A ST. JAMES'S STREET. LONDON", single silver bead and engraved breeches, matching serial number to action. Centerfire back-action locks, finely engraved with detailed panels of scrolls and both lockplates marked "S. GRANT". Henry Jones Patent scroll engraved underlever with ring. Extractors, double triggers. Blued triggergurad with tang marked with serial number and "1", indicating this was gun one from a pair. Breech faces marked with matching serial numbers and a triangle with the initials "ECH" surmounted by a crown, for Robert Hodges, who made these actions and was a famous gun auctioneer of the period and his fitting work was in high demand by Boss, Purdey, Lang and other prestigious makers. Walnut straight English buttstock with serrated butt and checkered wrist, partially figured checkered walnut splinter forearm with engraved Deeley release and endcap. With associated brown leather case with brass corner protectors and furniture, lid with a brass plaque which marked "Colonel Bertram", burgundy felt-lined partitioned interior with reproduction Holland & Holland label on inside of lid. Very good condition, as professionally restored and refinished. Barrels with excellent bores and re-browned finish, with a few scattered areas of pitting and some heavier pitting along side of left barrel, where it touches the case, scattered marks from use. Actions have been cleaned with some metal restoration and some engraving professionally retouched, not visibly evident. Action retains grey patina with some areas of light pitting, especially on left side of breech fence. Triggerguard with 70% reblued finish and some pitting on tang. Stocks excellent as expertly re-checkered and refinished, a few scattered light dents and marks from use, forearm mounts pitted. Case very good, some scuffs and wear to exterior, straps replaced, brass unpolished. Interior lid has some areas of losses to liner and scattered wear and staining. Partitioned section with scattered areas of wear and stains. This gun was featured on pages 123-134 of the prominent publication "The Double Gun & Single Shot Journal" Volume 25, Issue 3, from Autumn 2014. Included with the gun is this volume of the journal. The article discusses the details of the guns purchase, restoration, and history. This shotgun was made around 1866 or 1867 and was one of the first centerfire shotguns made by Steven Grant, when he first opened his first shop on James Street location in London. Steven Grant originally worked for Boss & Co. but then left to work on his own. He moved from Ireland to London in 1843, then in 1850 he moved even further up the ladder to Thomas Boss & Co. Grant left Boss in 1866. The ledger book shows that this serial number along with another were made for and sold to John Spencer Churchill. He is recorded in the log book as the Marquise and Blandford. He also held the title of 7th Duke of Marlborough. He was the grandfather of prime minister, Sir Winston Churchill. Grant delivered this pair to members of parliament during November of 1867. This is an excellent example of a very fine English centerfire hammer gun by famed and fine maker, Steven Grant. Not to mention it's historical significance being owned by the grandfather of Sir Winston Churchill.
Barrel Wall Thickness
Both Barrel - .034"
Choke
Both Barrels - Cylinder
Internal Bore Diameter
Both Barrels .732"