December 14-17, 2021 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/16/2021
Circa 1931 as per British Gunmakers Vol I, by Brown; this would predate the Grant & Lang system which took over in 1935. A rather clever little Howdah sized pistol with a diminutive boxlock action engraved with well cut English fine scroll and marked "WATSON BROS" on both sides. Water table marked with serial number and "(Crown) / BV" proofs. Action is case colored with top lever, bottom plate, and trigger guard is English high polish blue. Automatic tang safety with "SAFE" inlaid in gold. Double triggers. Pistol grip stock with flared out heel checkered in point pattern checkering with sidepanels. Splinter forearm with point pattern checkering and diamond escutcheon for affixing screw; iron is engraved with fine scroll en suite with boxlock. No barrels. Housed in a blue felt lined case that is associated. CONDITION: Very good. Action retains most of the case hardening, with some losses to grey at high edges; remaining colors are bright and vibrant, particularly in protected areas. High polish blue is very good on the bottom plate and top lever, retaining the vast majority, while the trigger guard is mostly a chocolate patina with a few flashes of the blue. Stock is very good with a few bumps and bruises acquired over time, but free of cracks. Splinter forearm is very good with one noticeable indentation towards tip in the checkering; iron is essentially dove grey. Engraving is crisp throughout. Given the stock and bending of the tangs, we are of the opinion that this was manufactured as a Howdah pistol rather than being a cut down shotgun. A neat piece. EMW