October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2018
Joseph Simmons was a "best" gun maker in Birmingham (later partnered with Howell) from 1807 to about 1820. This well built "golden age" flintlock gun has 30- 1/2" wonderfully patterned skelp Damascus barrels with slightly raised, concave game rib engraved "Improved Elevation". Bottoms of barrels are stamped with Birmingham black powder proofs and a barrel makers mark. Ebony ramrod with brass head and steel tail (worm under cap) is housed by two nicely beaded pipes. Patent inset breech plugs have platinum touch holes and broad platinum bands at rear. Poincon on tops are marked "JOSEPH" "SIMMONS" with crown between. Breech iron is deeply engraved with simple scroll and recumbent hound at rear. Locks with rebated truncated tails in Manton fashion are fitted with full waterproof pans, bridled roller frizzens, springs with bulbous finials, and serpentine chamfered cocks. Locks are engraved in classic style with feathered borders and feather bursts on tails. There are birds in flight over vegetation behind cocks, "SIMMONS" in front. Trigger plate has stylized pineapple finial and guard with scrolled grip is engraved with dog on bow and starburst on top of grip. Dense, nicely marbled European walnut stock measures 13 - 3/4" over steel buttplate with long top tang and features swept shadow line right hand cheekpiece, closely spaced point pattern checkering with mullered borders at grip, and a vacant silver oval at top of grip. Stock attaches to barrels with captive side bolt through oval silver escutcheons. Gun is housed in its original mahogany case with inlet brass corners and arched brass banding on top, which is also fitted with flush inlet rectangular D-handle engraved "Mr. BULMAN." "NEWCASTLE". Top is latched by sliding bolts. Sides are brass reinforced. Case is lined in green cloth and has original Joseph Simmons High Street label in lid. Partitions appear to be original and hold early four piece brass and ebony cleaning rod, copper bodied bag flask marked Bartram on brass top, small brass oil bottle, Hawksley marked pewter topped oil bottle, rosewood handled double dusting brush, old leather shot snake marked "Sykes Patent" on spout, walnut handled turnscrew with side blade for adjusting flints, and a leather wallet containing spare flints and installation double bladed turnscrew. Locks are stored on removable platform, space underneath contains more spare flints and lock screw. CONDITION: Good. Barrels retain most of an old re-brown with good definition to interesting barrel pattern. All other iron parts are pleasing silver to gray to silver-gray to black with some light frosting. Engraving remains clear. Stocks have old dry finish, some areas where wood is deteriorated filled with shellac, mostly on butt. Wood at tops of locks at rear of barrel channels replaced, otherwise stock is sound and most likely shootable. Bores are bright and shiny, lightly cleaned. Locks and frizzens are very fine. Undoubtedly spark well. Area around barrel retaining bolt has seen some work. Case is fine with old finish on exterior, possibly original with some added oil over numerous scratches and marks. Original interior cloth is fine, but quite presentable. Areas rubbed through have been patched. Label is fine, chipped on edges, somewhat foxed. Partitions are good. Accessories are generally fine. Leather of shot snake considerably worn and limp. This lovely old gun with no noted mechanical problems or replacements would undoubtedly make a first class shooter. Lots of fun for put and take quail. MGM 205
Accessories
Case, accessories
Barrel Wall Thickness
L .042 R ,050
Internal Bore Diameter
L .605 R .605