GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
MASSIVE AND HIGH ORIGINAL CONDITION CHARLES OSBORNE 6 BORE PERCUSSION DANGEROUS GAME RIFLE WITH PROVENANCE TO THE NIZAM OF HYDERABAD, WITH CASE. CHAS OSBORNE PERC RIFLE NSN 6 BORE Cal. 6 bore. .985 Groove diameter. 5 wide grooves and lands. 34" Ovate twist bbl is engraved "Chas Osborne London" on top flat, which is fitted with one standing, one folding leaf V-notch rear sight, and bead front dovetailed through. There is no provision for ramrod. Bottom of bbl is fitted with large sling eye. Left flat of bbl is stamped with the APX number (APX-73 EX-73) which was assigned during the organization and registration of the Nizam of Hyderabad's armory, with "AP" representing the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, followed by the number "73" which was the year. One could assume that the EX-73 referred to the year of export. Case hardened patent breech with scroll engraving on top flat, is also scroll engraved on bolster which has un-vented platinum blow-out. Fully open shaded scroll engraved breech iron has integral fence. Bar lock with well cut open scroll is engraved "Chas Osborne" and is fitted with large flat faced serpentine hammer with shaded open scroll on sides and tall checkered spur. Trigger plate has stylized pineapple finial and is engraved in shell motif. Blued trigger guard with scroll on bow loops to form pistol grip on tang. Ebonized maple stock has LOP of 14-1/4" over blued steel buttplate with long scroll engraved top tang. Very coarse point pattern checkering with mullered borders is at grip and forend. A sling eye and small vacant silver oval are on toe line. Forend tip is of rosewood and stock attaches to bbl with single captive side nail to shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2-3/16", drop at comb: approx 1-3/4". Cast: Neutral. Weight: 14 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". What appears to be orig large mahogany case with inlet brass corners and central rectangular plaque and pivoting hook closure, is lined in dark green cloth, and contains an array of old and new cleaning and loading equipment, including a fine old adjustable powder measure with ebony handle, old ebony and brass bullet starting rod, leather covered flask by Bartram, steel T-shaped nipple wrench with pricker, ebony cap box, leather carrying strap with captive steel hook swivels, and a bone handled cleaning brush. New accessories include a round pewter oil bottle, mainspring vice, large steel patch cutter, ebony handled turnscrew, ebony handled nipple jag, and some bore mops. There is also an assortment of old and new cast lead balls. PROVENANCE: Letter from Holland & Holland regarding this rifle, as well as another, along with an invoice for the pair. Letter from David Winks of H&H explains the APX number and relates that "I first saw this rifle in 1973 when I was ordered to go to India and examine the whole of the Hyderabad armory. This was an armory of nearly 2000 weapons, most of which were stamped with what we call the APX number." CONDITION: Excellent, mostly original. Bbl retains wonderful orig (over 90%) brown with dramatic definition to pattern. Sights still retain some of their temper blue. Breech plug, iron, lock, and hammer retain over 90% of their orig case hardening color, which is thinning a bit, but is mostly quite good. Trigger plate retains most of its hardening color, and trigger guard approx 85% of its orig blue. Buttplate retains perhaps 40% of its orig blue. Stock retains most of its orig ebonized finish with some areas lightly rubbing through. This finish was quite popular especially for rifles, during the 1830's and '40's. The only bit of restoration evident is a new replacement forend tip, which was most likely originally of horn. Bore is excellent with bright sharp rifling throughout, but with a touch of oxidation toward muzzle. Lock is crisp. Case exterior retains most of what appears to be an old refurbish, and has a number of longitudinal cracks and numerous scuffs. Interior cloth has been restored, and is excellent, with a few rubs. Older accessories are fine, modern ones excellent. An exceptional early big bore rifle. 49958-34 mgm64 (5,000-8,000)