GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
HUGE 4 BORE E. LONDON PERCUSSION RIFLE WITH ACCESSORIES. E. LONDEN PERC RIFLE NSN 4 BORE Cal. 4 bore. (1.10 Groove diameter, 20 U-shaped shallow grooves) 42" Tapered octagon bbl is engraved "E. London. Gun. &. Rifle. Maker. 51. London. Wall. London." on top flat, which is also fitted with four folding leaf rear sight. A bead front sight is dovetailed through at muzzle. Bottom flat is stamped with London black powder proofs for 4 bore (This is a true 4 Bore, firing a ball of at least 1" in diameter). Bottom flat is also engraved "E. London." "1858". Bbl is fitted with under rib mounted with two plain pipes holding hickory ramrod with oak knob, and German silver tail with removable tip. A sling loop is also bolted through rib. Large patent breech has well filed bolster with square shouldered clean-out. A gold band is at rear portion. Breech iron with line engraving has integral fence. Large bar lock is fitted with tall flat faced hammer with deep chamfers and back sliding safety which engages at half cock. Lock is engraved with double line borders and "E. London". Trigger plate with fancy filed finial, is fitted with double set triggers. Large bow trigger guard has tang which extends to steel grip cap. Ebonized walnut stock measures 14-5/8" over steel buttplate with long top tang. Face of plate is engraved with running and trumpeting elephant (trunk up). Right side of stock is fitted with large hinged steel patchbox which is line border engraved. Point pattern checkering is at grip and forend. Sling eye is on toe line. Forend tip is of horn. Stock attaches to bbl with two captive side nails through truncated rectangular silver escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2-1/2", drop at comb: approx 1-7/8". Weight: 17 lbs. 6 oz. LOP: 14-5/8". Included with rifle is a very large copper bodied powder flask by James Dixon with "QUICK LOADING" "FIRE PROOF" markings. It has reversible spout, one end graduated from 2-3/4 to 4-3/4 drams, with other end graduated from 5 to 7 drams, presently set to deliver 5 drams. Included is a large "W D" marked (William Davis) brass mold also marked "4" casting a slightly hollow based conical projectile 1.068 in diameter. Also included is a relatively modern walnut mallet, an old rosewood handled dusting brush, nicely filed mainspring vice, nipple cleaning jag, and a tin of JOYCE percussion caps. CONDITION: Good to fine. Bbl retains most of its orig Damascus finish, darkened overall with spots of browning. Other metal parts are mostly gray to brown showing evidence of cleaning. Stock retains a considerable amount of what is possibly its orig varnish with a large number of deep marks and scratches. Stock is broken through wrist and repaired with some inlet pieces of wood. Checkering at grip re-cut. Horn of forend tip has had some insect damage, and been repaired with black putty. Bore is fine with no noted deep pits, somewhat frosted overall. Lock is crisp. Set triggers work. Safety works. Flask retains 90% of its orig varnish on brass and copper, and most of fine temper blue on springs. Mold is good with some verdigris and rust on sprue plate. Other accessories are good. These large bore rifles are extremely scarce, one of this caliber (true "4") exceptionally so. 49958-35 MGM102 (7,500-12,500)