GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
MASSIVE 8 BORE E. M. REILLY DOUBLE RIFLE WITH CASE AND AMMUNITION, SUBJECT OF DOUBLE GUN JOURNAL ARTICLE.E.M. REILLYDBL RIFLE257118 BORECal. 8 Bore. (.850 Groove diameter, 11 grooves). 3-1/4" Chambers. 28" Fine Damascus bbls are fitted with broad file cut matted rib (with dolls head extension), holding one standing, three folding leaf express rear, and small silver bead front, sights. Tops of bbls are engraved "E. M. Reilly & Co" and "502 New Oxford St. London". Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs for 9 bore, and with SN. A large sling eye is soldered to bottom rib. Robust round bodied underlever action is fitted with peninsula back locks having large rebounding round bodied serpentine hammers, and front sliding safety bolts which engage at half cock. Rifle was originally of very plain finish with only border engraving and a few sprays of scroll around pin holes on locks. Rifle has had extensive gold damascened embellishment consisting of 3/4" floral and foliate bands at muzzles with 1/8" bands around breeches, as well as line and beaded borders on action and locks which also have some extra areas embellished with scroll. Top of right bbl was also damascened "H. H. Maharana Shree Warhatsingji Loonawara" (a brief Google search finds a Maharana Shri born in 1889, Loonawara is a small principality in Rajasthan). Somewhat streaked and figured dense European walnut horn capped pistol grip buttstock measures 13-7/8" over Silver type pad, and features usual point pattern checkering at grip, shadow line right hand cheekpiece, and a vacant silver oval, as well as a sling eye matching that on bbl, on toe line. Matching splinter forend with steel tip attaches to bbls with side/ sliding bolt through engraved steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2-3/8", drop at comb: approx 1-3/4". Neutral cast. Weight: 19 lbs. 13 oz. LOP: 13-7/8". High quality newly made elephant leather covered case with brass corners, is lined in green baize, with reproduction E. M. Reilly label with bbl inscription, in lid. Case is configured to take rifle full length, and contains an 8 ga sizing die. Also included are 11 brass cartridges marked "E. M. Reilly" on heads. PROVENANCE: This neat old rifle was the subject of an article by Sherman Bell in the Autumn 2004 DOUBLE GUN JOURNAL under "Bore Rifles Part II" where he describes this rifle and his load development to get it shooting 3-3/4" groups at 50 yards. CONDITION: Good. Bbls retain 20 - 30 % of what appears to be orig brown, the balance a gray brown patina giving good definition to pattern. Action and locks cleaned years ago, now toned back to pewter gray with some scattered staining. Damascening is generally good with some loss on tails of locks. Stocks are dark with most of an old oil finish. There are some repairs to wrist, most noticeable on right side where filler has lifted. Forend shows some repairs to thin wood at edges toward tip. Bores are fine, with strong sharp rifling throughout, with some frosting and light pits. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks are excellent. Safeties work. Case is excellent with only a few minor marks on exterior. Interior cloth is excellent except with a few rubs on partitions. 51432-1 MGM99 (27,500-42,500)