May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/8/2024
A very clever little rifle, utilizing a threaded barrel that screws into the action where a simple thumb screw retains the barrel, and shotgun latch forearm on a loop to make a rifle that is capable of being broken down or assembled quite quickly. Bead front sight on sweated on island with flip-up moon sight, slotted on sides for a sight hood. Sling eye loop on base sweated to underside of barrel. Three leaf rear sight with one standing leaf with ivory express regulated for 100 yards, two folding leaves with matting and platinum lines, regulated for 200 and 300 yards. Shank with British view and proof marks, top of the barrel engraved "Dan'l Fraser & Co / Gun & Rifle Manufacturers / 4 Leith St. Terrace Edinburgh" ahead of rear sight. Action engraved with Celtic knotwork at borders with vignettes of intricate acanthus scrollwork, rear ring engraved "FITTED WITH / FRASER'S PATENT / TRIGGER ACTION". Parker Hale bolt-mounted diopter sight. Forearm with distinct scalloped lip, and checkered in point pattern about the Deely latch release, with is engraved with knotwork and scroll en suite. Bottom metal engraved en sutite. Nicely figured and fiddled walnut stock with a sharply angled pistol grip, checkered in point pattern about the wrist, with a beaded cheekpiece and checkered horn buttplate. In an interesting brass tabbed and leather wrapped case with "EARL CAIRNS" embossed on leather on the slip, and a gilt "THE RIGHT HNBLE EARL CAIRNS" on case lid. Inside lid has a very interesting memo from The Earl Cairns, Fairleigh House, Bath, dated July 17th 1929, indicating that packed contents at the time were the rifle, cleaning rod & tackle, a sling, a pair of sights with locking nut & key, pair dummy cartridges, grip, duster, and screwdriver. Other labels include Daniel Fraser trade label, and insert for the .303 Velox, listing this rifle by serial number. Given the 1929 date, the appropriate Earl Cairns is Wilfred Cairns, the 4th Earl. He was a Rifle Brigade officer of 4th Battalion, and fought in the Second Boer War. He eventually purchased and restored Farleigh House in 1906, and died in 1946. Case accessories now comprise a dummy round, screwdriver, stripper clip, chamber casting, and case key. CONDITION: Very good, with good quality English period rebluing; barrel retains virtually all of the bluing with some minor handling marks, heavier on the underside, and thinning at muzzle. Action excellent with some thinning to high edges and some handling marks, top flat of bolt with an insert through a British proof, and a few very minor pits visible under the blue on left side of receiver. Stocks with some minor handling marks and impressions, one tight grain separation behind top tang with some abraded heads. Mechanically fine, takedown functions correctly, bore is very good with strong rifling and minor frosting. Case very good with some handling marks and age related distress throughout, Velox label with some heavier marks and peeling, particularly at lower right. Slip good with some handling marks and tear at canvas lining junction on rear. A very interesting rifle from a highly respected maker, with a connection to the peerage.
Item Dimensions: 31 x 12 x 5"
Manufacturer
Daniel Fraser