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491<br />
A RARE .577 CALIBRE PERCUSSION BREECH-LOADING<br />
EXPERIMENTAL REEVES PATENT RIFLE BY C. REEVES,<br />
CIRCA 1860<br />
with browned sighted barrel rifled with five broad shallow<br />
grooves retained by a single band at the muzzle, fitted with<br />
blade fore-sight, folding back-sight calibrated to 1100 yards<br />
and stamped by the barrelsmith ‘Henry Clive’ beneath the<br />
breech, the latter recessed with a vertical channel for an<br />
elevating breech block (now detached) operated by a quickthreaded<br />
screw attached to the front of the trigger-guard,<br />
flush-fitting flat lock signed ‘C. Reeves Patent’, figured<br />
walnut full stock, cut with a bold pattern of chequering over<br />
the fore-end and the grip, steel mounts comprising triggerguard,<br />
and butt-plate with trap, retaining its original<br />
ramrod, complete with its 1861 patent breech cap for<br />
conversion to muzzle-loading, a spare nipple and breech<br />
cap, and with no proof marks (the steel parts pitted)<br />
83cm; 32N in barrel<br />
Charles Reeves was an established sword maker in<br />
Birmingham who exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851.<br />
He patented a method for rolling bayonet and sword blades<br />
in 1852 which he later applied to rifle barrels in a patent of<br />
1854. Reeves also patented several breech-loading actions<br />
for pistols and long guns during the period 1857-1866. The<br />
present system, was registered no. 3069, on 13th<br />
December 1860. The breech cap is described in patent no.<br />
491<br />
492<br />
256 of 31st January 1861. See S. J. Gooding 1975, pp. 52-<br />
55.<br />
£400-500<br />
492<br />
FRENCH PERCUSSION RIFLE BY BRUNÉEL À LYON,<br />
CIRCA 1800<br />
converted from flintlock, with Indian etched twist sighted<br />
barrel chiselled with a scaly serpent engulfing the octagonal<br />
muzzle, the serpent head and muzzle each retaining some<br />
gilding, the middle section chiselled with shaped ropework<br />
panels, inlaid with a gold line and with gold foliage over the<br />
breech, engraved tang fitted with conical tunnel sight, flat<br />
lock signed within an oval gold panel framed by olive<br />
foliage, engraved with a dragon on the tail and a<br />
cornucopia, set trigger, highly figured walnut full stock finely<br />
carved with plaited ropework over the fore-end and the<br />
grip, the butt with carved cheek-piece, finely engraved steel<br />
mounts including side-plate formed as a pair of adorsed<br />
animal heads, butt-plate decorated with a stork on the tang,<br />
trigger-guard with a chamois on the bow and the finial en<br />
suite with the butt-plate, and a pair of sling swivels, silver<br />
barrel bolt escutcheons, and with no provision for a ramrod<br />
68.5cm; 27in barrel<br />
£500-600<br />
229
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