December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
This fine circa 1750 coach gun by renowned London maker Henry Hadley features a unique and barely noticeable mechanism. When the frizzen is closed, a button on the frizzen face can be pushed, and the frizzen can be opened while a steel cover is left in place over the pan, keeping the powder dry and the gun safe from accidental discharge. Once the frizzen is closed and the gun is fired, the cover opens and stays attached to the frizzen. The brass barrel has a flared muzzle with a solid silver teardrop front sight and a hooked breech. The top of the breech is engraved with acanthus leaf designs and has private London proof and view marks as well as "TH". The top of the barrel has an engraved cartouche marked inside with "H HADLEY CHARING CROSS LONDON". The convex lockplate is marked "H HADLEY" in the center in block letters. The brass furniture includes an s-shaped engraved sideplate with a face engraved behind the rear lock screw. The trigger guard bow is engraved with a flower and the front finial terminates in stylized fleur-de-lis. Vacant brass wrist escutcheon engraved with a shell at the top and a pendent on the bottom. The buttplate tang is elaborately engraved with florals and foliate designs. The fine walnut stock is of classic Georgian from and is engraved with a relief shell around the barrel tang and panels around the lock and sideplate terminating in teardrops. CONDITION: Very good overall. Barrel retains a pleasing mustard patina, markings very good, proofs show some wear. Lock retains a grey patina and functions well. Brass mounts have a matching mustard patina. Stock very good with scattered minor marks. An attractive coach gun by a prominent maker.