2020 September Premier, Volume I

BOTH SIDES PICTURED
LOT 301
Fine Engraved James Beattie
& Son 12 Bore Jones Patent Rotary Underlever
Double Barrel Hammer Rifle with Case - Serial no. 3943, 12 Bore
gauge, 28 inch bbl., browned/casehardened/blued finish, walnut stock. With
browned fine damascus twist barrels signed “JAMES BEATTIE & SON. 205. REGENT
ST.T LONDON” on the raised solid rib and with large bead front sight, blued rear sight
of one standing and one folding leaf, the standing sight calibrated for “100” yards,
engraved with sprays of scrollwork around the rear sight and at the breech end of
the rib, the area behind the front sight matted on the rib, and the breech ends of
the barrels each engraved with band of stylised running foliage. Casehardened action with carved
percussion fences and back action locks each with blued safety catch and signed “J. BEATTIE & SON”.
Fine border and scroll engraving throughout, the locks each with differing vignette of a stag. The
barrels and action struck with London black powder proof marks and London nitro reproof marks for
2007. Well figured straight hand stock with checkered grip and forearm. Blued iron mounts including
trigger guard with extended checkered tang forming a pistol grip. In brass cornered oak lined fitted case
with some accessories, the lid with J. Beattie & Co. printed trade label and test target dated 2008.
CONDITION: Barrels expertly rebrowned and retaining virtually all their renewed finish. Engraving
to action and locks very crisp, 20% original casehardened finish remaining in sheltered areas,
remainder a light grey patina. Stock refinished, checkering sharp, occasional slight handling and
storage blemishes. Furniture reblued to a dark matt color. Case associated, relined and refitted to
the rifle, trade label a recent reproduction. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 6000 - 9000
BOTH SIDES PICTURED
LOT 302
Fine & Rare Engraved
Westley Richards 12 Bore / 16 Bore Double
Barrel “Bar In Wood” Toplever Hammer Cape Rifle
with Case - Serial no. 12547, 12/16 cal., 30 inch bbl., browned/
casehardened/blued finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in circa 1875 as a
pinfire and subsequently converted to center fire, with browned damascus twist
barrels each engraved with a band of running foliage at the breech end. The 12
bore a smooth shot barrel and the 16 bore barrel cut with deep rifling. Raised rib
signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS 170 NEW BOND ST.T LONDON”, engraved “PATENT”
towards the breech end and “WHITWORTH PATENT” ahead of the back sight
comprising four folding leaves graduated from “50” to “200” yards and each with platinum inlaid center
line, bead front sight and doll’s head extension engraved with a shell. Action struck with patent use
number “2510” on the water table and with blued toplever engraved “WESTLEY RICHARDS PATENT”.
Floating non-rebounding side locks each signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS” and with dolphin hammer
and blued safety catch. The action, locks and furniture all with fine border and scroll engraving. Barrels and action struck with
Birmingham black powder proof marks. Well figured “crab joint” pistol grip stock with raised cheekpiece and checkered grip and
forearm, the latter with dark horn tip. The underside of the butt with blank silver initial escutcheon. The stock and barrels with
sling eyes. In brass cornered oak lined leather case with oil bottle, the lid with printed Westley Richards & Co. trade label.
CONDITION: Barrel retaining 80% thinning rebrowned finish, engraving sharp, signatures softened. Locks retaining slight traces
of original casehardened finish. Engraving crisp to the action and locks, slightly flattened to trigger guard. The action and locks have a
mostly light grey patina, the trigger guard and butt plate are more discoloured. Stock has been professionally refinished with sharp checkering and some scattered storage
and handling marks. Crab joint in good condition with small crack along the grain visible to the inside of the forearm. Case has been re-leathered at the ends, straps and
handles expertly replaced. Trade label holed and stained. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 3500 - 5500
A Selection of Fine Arms from the Esteemed Collection of Malcolm King
265