December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2023
Originally manufactured circa 1914 as a 16 bore shotgun, and sleeved to 20 bore by Atkin Grant & Lang circa 2004, nitro proofed, and cut for 2 - 3/4" chambers. Dovetail lump barrels with steel bead on a matted, solid, ever-so-slightly concave rib, with interruption in matting for Rowland Watsons Whitehall address. Doll's head rib extension with rais-de-couer style dressing at breeches and dolls head. Underside of barrels with "WHITWORTH'S FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL" mark, Whitworth's famous sheaf of wheat trademark, BSA import mark, and Birmingam proof. Barrel flats with a more recent nitro proof for 2 - 3/4" chambers, nominal IBD of 16.9 in right barrel and 17 in left. Splinter forearm with Anson style plunger release with flowing acanthus scroll on exposed metal, checkered in a point pattern. Interior iron with case coloring. Water table with serial number and additional proofs. Sidelock action is signed "ROWLAND WATSON" at bar. Engraving is a nicely cut English style acanthus scroll, with dressed edges. Checkered sidelever and automatic safety with "SAFE" inlaid in gold. Trigger guard with serial number and engraving en suite protects double driggers. English style straight grip stock made of a well figured slightly smoke grained walnut with tears drops behind action, point pattern checkering about the wrist, brass oval inset into stock, and leather covered recoil pad with leather covered screws and an added section of skate tape for additional traction. Cast off for a right handed shooter. Leather wrapped case with trade label in lid and a charge card. Compartmentalized to fit gun with accessories comprising notecard from Atkin Grant & Lang describing sleeving, pair snapcaps, 2 piece cleaning/wiping rod, wallet with heads for rod, and a Briley barrel slip. CONDITION: Barrels retain virtually all of their reblack, probably done at the time of sleeving, pluming somewhat, legends are still crisp. Wood is excellent and appears to have been refreshed and had checkering refreshed; 2 very small cracks at lock, one on left side near teardrop, one at top of right lock, both are very small and not distracting. Action with flashes of original case color in protected areas, balance gunmetal grey with some mossing. Lever with newer nitre blue. Bores are very good with some light orange peel ahead of forcing cones, mechanically fine, ejectors are in time. Barrels ring like cathedral bells. Case is very good with age related distress to leather, interior relined, and trade label modern.
Item Dimensions: Case: 33" x 9" x 3 - 1/2"
Length of Pull
14 - 7/8" from front trigger
Manufacturer
Rowland Watson