GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
SCARCE W. G. RAWBONE OF TORONTO HIGH QUALITY TEN BORE HAMMER GUN WITH INTERESTING RETRACTING FIRING PINS. RAWBONE SXS HAMMER 197 10 GA Cal. 10 ga. 2-7/8" Chambers. 31" Heavy fine Damascus bbls are gold inlaid "W. G. Rawbone. Toronto" on concave game rib, which has interesting hand engraved geometric matting with stippled background. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with Birmingham black powder proofs and SNs. Large Jones underlever action is fitted with non-rebounding bar locks with uniquely shaped serpentine hammers with tall spurs. Projections at tops of hammer breasts engage spurs at rear portions of long firing pins to retract them when hammers are brought to half cock. The shaping of the hammers and action leads one to believe that these are of Greener's patent no. 800 of 1868. Rawbone sourced most of his guns from the Birmingham trade, and this fine gun may indeed have been built by Greeners. Action is engraved with near full coverage very well cut small scroll as background to ribbons and strapwork which surround a vignette of hound and rabbit on bottom, and a lions face on top tang. (Rawbone Company originated in South Africa, and moved to Toronto in the 1870's.) Lockplates engraved with more well cut scroll, but smaller, surround exceptionally well cut, detailed hunting scenes; a hunter and dog are at rear of left lockplate, with two deer and fawn at center. A hunter with two deer hounds are at rear of right lockplate with battling bucks at center. "W. G. RAWBONE" is in scrolled ribands at the front of each lockplate. Lightly figured American walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/2" over steel buttplate with scroll and strapwork engraving matching that on action, surrounding large vignette of Landseer's "Monarch of the Glen". Matching splinter forend has inlet schnabeled horn tip, and attaches to bbls with side nail through engraved steel escutcheons. Bore diameter: left -.779, right - .778. Bore restrictions: left - .004 (IC), right - .002 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .042, right - .042. Drop at heel: 2-1/4", drop at comb: 1-9/16". Weight: 10 lbs. 9 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". PROVENANCE: Paul Tudor Jones II Collection. CONDITION: Fine as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a re-brown with fair definition to pattern. Action and locks retain traces of orig color but are mostly pewter gray, engraving remains excellent. Stocks retain nearly all of an old refinish, edges slightly rounded, checkering slightly worn. Bore is good with scattered light pitting throughout. Action is tight. Locks are crisp. A great old big bore with wonderful engraving. 49941-42 MGM190 (1,500-2,500)