GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
EXTRAORDINARY, NEAR NEW PAIR OF JOHN DICKSON 11 BORE PERCUSSION MUZZLELOADING SHOTGUNS HAVING "ANTEDILUVIAN HAMMERS" WITH ORIGINAL TWO TIERED CASE AND FINE ORIGINAL ACCESSORIES.J DICKSONPERCUSSION SxS3674/367511GACASED W/ALL ACCESESACal. 11 Bore. Although similar to the anachronistic over the top guns and rifles ordered by the eccentric Charles Gordon, this particular pair is not listed as being built for Gordon in CHARLES GORDON MAGNIFICENT MADNESS by Donald Dallas. There are a group of guns ordered by Gordon just before this SN. This pair has no information listed in factory ledger, so may have been part of the Gordon order. It is interesting to note that a much later percussion pistol ordered by Gordon in 1899 is listed in the ledger as having "antediluvian hammers" referring to the replaceable hammer noses as first used by Joseph Manton on early percussion guns. This particular pair is fitted with these same type hammers. The guns have 32" fine three stripe Damascus bbls engraved "John Dickson & Son 63 Princes Street Edinburgh" on slightly raised game ribs, which are also engraved "1" and "2" denoting a pair, with "1" and "2" also engraved on trigger guard tangs. Bbls are stamped with London proofs, breech plugs with SNs. Rosewood ramrods with brass tips and tails are held by plain pipes. Case hardened breech irons are fully scroll engraved. Bar locks with aforementioned early style hammers are also scroll engraved, and have "John Dickson & Son" at the bottom of each plate. Nicely matched dark cloudy marbled and lightly figured European walnut stocks measure 14-3/8" over blued steel buttplates with long top spurs, also numbered "1" and "2". Otherwise stocks are iron mounted with scroll engraved broad trigger guards; Trigger plates with long finials, nicely engraved matching thimbles, and single sliding bolt bbl fasteners through shaped steel escutcheons. Vacant silver ovals are on toe lines. Stocks are nicely checkered at grips and forends. Guns are housed in large quartered oak two tiered case with inlet ogee decorated brass corners and central brass medallion with pivoting hook closure. Lift out top tray holds both sets of bbls, and high quality accessories french fitted, including a pair of copper bodied bag flasks and leather shot pouches. The flasks are by Hawksley. Bottom section of case houses the remainder of guns, has lift out oak box containing cleaning equipment. Other compartments hold a Hawksley oil bottle, 10 bore wad cutter, and 4 new hammer noses, a pair for each gun. Interior is lined in green cloth with large paper Dickson label with view of Edinburgh in lid. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, essentially as new. Guns appear unfired. There are only a few accumulated light handling and assembly marks on all wood and metal surfaces, with some minor flaking of blue on buttplate of gun "2", and some rubs on buttplate of gun "1". Exterior of case is excellent, retaining nearly all of its orig varnish finish. Interior is excellent with only minor rubs and light soiling associated with these wonderful guns being in existence for over 135 years. Accessories are excellent. Copper of flasks beginning to tarnish a bit. 52999-10 MGM373 (25,000-35,000)