GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
GREAT HIGH CONDITION FOUR BORE WATERFOWLER BY R. B. RODDA. RB RODDA HAMMER FOWLER 18210 4 BORE (ca 1874) Cal. 4 bore. 4" Chambers. Lovely 38" stub Damascus bbls with interesting herring bone Damascus breech sections, are gold inlaid in unusual script "R. B. Rodda & Co Gun Makers to H. E. The Viceroy & H. R. H. The Duke of Edinburgh. London & Calcutta" on concave game rib. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with London black powder proofs for 6 bore, and with W. & C. Scott castle logos and Scott SNs which are the same numbers as used by Rodda. Massive, round bodied, Jones underlever action is fitted with peninsula non-rebounding back locks with round bodied serpentine hammers. Action and locks are engraved with approx 50% coverage well cut scroll. "R - B - Rodda & Co" is gold inlaid on each lockplate. Nicely streaked, dense, European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/2" over case hardened steel buttplate with short spur. Matching splinter forend with inlet steel tip attaches to bbls with captive side nail through engraved oval escutcheons. Bore diameters at muzzles: left - .945, right -.951. Bore restrictions: At the time of making of this gun, choke was only recently invented. This gun appears to be cylinder bored. Wall thickness: left -.045, right -.055. Drop at heel: 2-1/8", drop at comb: 1-5/8". Weight: 16 lbs. 11 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain approx 90% orig Damascus finish, with some areas of rubbing through near muzzles, with some thinning and flecking on sides, and some light scratches and marks. Wonderful varied Damascus types show well. Action and locks retain approx 80% of their orig case hardening color, with some loss from spotting and flaking. Stocks retain nearly all of what appears to be their orig hand rubbed oil finish with a few light marks and bumps. Checkering very lightly worn, and a bit grimy, especially on forend. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Right bbl is very slightly off face. Locks are crisp. As fine an early four bore as one could hope to find. It also has great shootable dimensions. 49958-12 MGM87 (10,000-15,000)