2020 September Premier, Volume I

BOTH SIDES PICTURED
LOT 306
Fine & Rare Panel Game Scene Engraved William Moore & Grey 8 Bore Double Barrel Jones Patent
Rotary Underlever Hammer Wildfowling Shotgun with Extra Set of Barrels - Serial no. 4375,
8 Bore gauge, 36 inch bbl., browned/casehardened/blued finish, walnut stock. Built in circa
1886 by the highly regarded London gunmakers William Moore & Grey. Both William
Moore and William Parker Grey, the founders of the firm, had worked for Joseph
Manton before going their separate ways. William Moore became established as
a gunmaker of great note, becoming Gunmaker-in-Ordinary to King William IV,
before reuniting with Grey in 1847 and forming William Moore & William Grey
Gunmakers. The company moved to the 43 Old Bond Street address in 1854 and
went through names changes until settling on William Moore & Grey in 1873. The
firm survived until 1908 when it was acquired by Cogswell & Harrison. With two sets
of browned damascus barrels respectively numbered “1” and “2” on the extractor
and each engraved with a band of stylised foliage at the breech end, with concave rib
engraved with a spray of scrollwork at the breech end and signed “WILLIAM MOORE & GREY, 43, OLD
BOND STREET. LONDON. W.” Casehardened action with carved percussion fences and rebounding locks each signed “Wm. MOORE &
GREY”. Fine scroll engraving throughout with panel game scenes involving wildfowl and hounds. Well figured walnut pistol grip stock
with rubber recoil pad, checkered grip and forearm, and gold oval initial escutcheon to the underside of the butt engraved with a
monogram. The underside of the barrels and watertable with London “Not For Ball” black powder proof marks.
CONDITION: Both sets of barrels retaining 98% rebrowned finish with fine, attractive twist pattern and
good color, clear signature. Action and locks with some dried oil, no finish beyond extremely slight
traces on outer surfaces, some original faded casehardened finish to water table. Engraving crisp
and fine throughout. Nice figure stock with handling marks, well defined “basket weave” checkering,
forearm wood probably a working replacement. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 4000 - 6500
LOT 307
Fine Panel Game Scene Engraved G.E. Lewis 8 Bore Double Barrel Jones Patent
Rotary Underlever Hammer Duck Shotgun - Serial no. 7632, 8 Bore gauge, 37 inch bbl.,
browned/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in circa 1887 by the firm of
G.E. Lewis, known colloquially as “Goose Eliminator” Lewis famed for his excellent
wildfowling guns. With browned damascus barrels each engraved with a band
of stylised foliage at the breech end and with concave rib signed “G.E.
LEWIS BIRMINGHAM NO. 7639”. Border and scroll engraved action
with carved percussion fences. Rebounding back action locks each
signed “G.E. LEWIS” and engraved with border and scrollwork framing
a scene of wildfowl in flight. Furniture including blued trigger guard.
Figured walnut pistol grip stock with checkered grip and forearm, the
underside of the butt with blank silver oval initial escutcheon. The
barrels with nitro reproof marks.
CONDITION: Barrels retaining 98% rebrowned finish, finish beginning
to thin in places, engraving clear, small amount of muzzle rub. Locks with
light grey patina with some old oil staining throughout, engraving clear. Trigger guard reblued. Stock with some light handling marks, well defined
checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 4000 - 6000
BOTH SIDES PICTURED
A Selection of Fine Arms from the Esteemed Collection of Malcolm King
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