GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
RARE R.T. PRITCHETT PERCUSSION SINGLE BARREL SPORTING RIFLE. PRITCHETT PERCUSSION RIFLE 3062 .490 Cal. .490 Groove diameter. (3 broad grooves, correct for Pritchett ball, one turn in approx 40"). This unusual sporting rifle by this fine London maker, inventor of the Pritchett ball, adopted by the British government as a replacement for the Minie ball; has 28" ovate bbl with under rib. Rib is fitted with two plain pipes holding hickory ramrod with brass head and tail with worm. Top flat is engraved "R. T. Pritchett 86 St. James's Street London" and is fitted with three folding leaf express rear and silver bead front sights. Breech plug is nicely scroll engraved and has platinum blow-out. Breech iron with integral fence is finely engraved with close shaded scroll. Lockplate mounted with tall serpentine flat faced hammer with dolphin head is fitted with front sliding stalking safety which engages hammer at half cock. Lock and hammer are also finely scroll engraved, and lock is also engraved "R. T. Pritchett". Trigger plate is fitted with single set trigger, and has elongated round finial. Scroll engraved trigger guard forms scrolled grip at rear, and is engraved with SN. Nicely marbled and lightly figured circassian walnut stock has point pattern checkering at grip and fore piece, and features right hand shadow line beaded cheekpiece, sling eye and vacant silver oval on toe line. Steel buttplate has a long top tang, and a steel patchbox is on right side with spring loaded circular cover, which contains some old waxed muslin patches. Patchbox is finely scroll engraved surrounding central family crest of naked upper torso of man holding British flag in his left hand, and dagger in his right, surmounted by a sovereign's crown. This is undoubtedly the family crest of the orig owner of this rifle, and would certainly lead to some interesting research. Drop at heel: approx 1-7/8", drop at comb: approx 1-1/2". Weight: 6 lbs 7 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". CONDITION: Very good. Bbl retains nearly all of a re-brown giving fair definition to pattern, engraving slightly softened. Breech iron, lock, and hammer are mostly gray brown, with traces of orig blue on trigger guard. Stock retains a considerable amount of what appears to be its orig finish with some oil rubbed in over light marks and scratches. Bore is very fine, shiny, with one or two scattered pits, but sharp rifling throughout. Lock is crisp. Safety works. Trigger will not remain set. An interesting and fine handling percussion single rifle in a caliber suitable for deer sized game. 49224-15 MGM86 (4,000-8,000)