May 17, 2022 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/17/2022
With a 31" long, browned, key-fastened, octagonal sighted barrel of .56 caliber cut with ten grooves, with royal arms in platinum within a raised rectangular panel or cartouche between two platinum lines at the breech, platinum-lined vent or touch-hole, blued two-leaf back-sight, and blued tang engraved with martial motifs; case-hardened, flat beveled lock with safety-catch, stepped tail, roller, blued steel-spring, raised pan, and bearing engraved maker's name 'TATHAM' between cock and hammer; and figured walnut stock with checkered wrist and blued iron mounts, including patch-box cover decorated with a martial trophies, a case-hardened trigger-plate with pineapple finial, platinum thumbpiece, horn forend cap, original horn-tipped ramrod, and much original finish to barrel, lock, and mounts. Proof and inspection marks on underside of barrel near breech, along with the 'WF' mark of William Fuller; inverted "(Broad Arrow)" strikes on of barrel near breech, indicating release from Crown ownership. A near-fine example of one of full-stocked,'warrior' rifles produced by Henry Tatham, Sr. (1770-1835) under contract with the Board of Ordnance in 1816. Major John Norton of the Indian Department recommended such arms be presented to Canadian Indian chiefs and key warriors in recognition of their valorous service as allies of the British during the War of 1812, which was approved in the Prince Regent. Subsequently, Tatham exhibited three patterns of rifles to the Board of Ordnance, who approved and contracted with him to produce such on behalf of the Indian Department. Tatham, appointed Sword Cutler and Beltmaker-in-Ordinary to King George III in 1798 and Gunmaker to the Prince of Wales in 1799. William Fullerd (fl. 1808-1834), was a London barrel and lock maker. The largest surviving collection of these Indian presentation rifles is in the collection of the Royal Armouries at Leeds. CONDITION: Near fine, overall. Barrel has sharp edges and excellent markings, retains about 90% of original finish. Lock is crisp and in its original flintlock configuration, functions flawlessly. Mounts retain generous amounts of original blue finish with some areas thinned to grey patina. Stock shows some minor staining and light storage marks, there is a repaired crack to the stock opposite the lock. LITERATURE: Robert W. Band, "Tatham's Indian Guns, A Gift For Mohawk Warriors", The Canadian Journal of Arms Collecting, vol. 37, no. 1 (February 1999), pp. 3-7; Dewitt Bailey. British Military Flintlock Rifles, 1740-1840 (Lincoln, RI: Mowbray, 2002), 180-187 and 210. JLK