Sold Gallery
These pages display a number of the rare items that I have had the pleasure of selling. To view more details and a larger photograph please click on the thumbnail picture.
Superb Cased Colt London Navy Revolver.
This is a very good cased Colt Navy Revolver in 36 calibre manufactured in the London factory and stamped as such with British proofs. At this level the set would be difficult to better. The gun has a crisp action with a bright bore and much original finish. There is a very good cylinder scene with the silver plating extant on the trigger guard. The set is in the correct British case and contains the correct accessories including a Colt Navy stamped powder flask. The quality of the accessories is commensurate with the quality of the revolver and this is an exceptional set that has not been improved. Colt believed that his London factory was the most important expansion of his business because of the potential sales throughout the British Empire and it is said that the examples made in the London factory were superior to those made in the USA factories. To research Colt London revolvers read Rosas seminal work Colonel Colt of London. Superior finish on Colt London revolvers included domed head screws, better cross hatching on the hammer and enhanced silver plating on the trigger guard. It is little known or advertised that Colts British aspirations were destroyed when he was caught smuggling Colt Navy revolvers to Britains enemy - Russia at the height of the Crimean War and became persona non grata to the British Government. Colt closed his London factory never to manufacture in the United Kingdom again.
Remington Model 95 1888 Derringer.
The Remington Model 95 is a double-barrel pocket pistol commonly recognised as a derringer. The design was little changed during a production run of nearly 70 years through several financial reorganisations of the manufacturer causing repeating serial number sequences. Guns were offered with engraving or plain blued or nickel-plated finish with grips of metal, walnut, rosewood, hard rubber, ivory or pearl. The earliest production had no extractors and have E. REMINGTON & SONS, ILION, N.Y. stamped on the right side of the barrel and ELLIOT'S PATENT DEC. 12, 1865 stamped on the left side of the barrel. These inscriptions were swapped to opposite sides of the barrel when extractors were added in 1869. In 1880, the inscription was changed to E. REMINGTON & SONS, ILION, N.Y. ELLIOT'S PATENT DEC. 12th 1865,and placed atop the barrel rib. The barrel rib top inscription changed to REMINGTON ARMS CO. ILION N.Y. in 1888 and again to REMINGTON ARMS U.M.C. CO. ILION, N.Y.in 1910 This particular example is the pattern introduced in 1888 identified by the inscription on the top rib. This is a very good example and lacks some of the inherent faults often seen. The bore is clean which is good as the .41 rimfire cartridge used was notorious for creating corrosion in the barrels if not cleaned because of their high mercury content. I have seen many excellent looking pistols with awful bores. Another issue is cracked and repaired hinges which this example does not suffer from. This is a nickel plated pistol with more than 90% of the finish extant as can be seen and with excellent grips. A very attractive and handsome looking example of an iconic gun reputed to be favoured by gamblers and “loose” women as they are very easily concealed.
USA Martini Henry Peabody Variant 1874
This rifle is not what it initially appears to be when you look closely! This is not a Mark 1 Martini Henry manufactured in Britain but a scarce Peabody Martini manufactured in the USA for the Turkish Army. The Turks wanted an exact copy of the British Martini, hence the similarity but there are some differences that stand out. The rifle is missing the Mk1 and Crowned VR stamps and has a safety catch forward of the trigger. The most significant difference is that the Turkish rifle is chambered for it’s own unique cartridge, the 11.3 x 59R which is often referred to as the .45 Turkish. This is an early rifle and is an 1874 Type A model with a serial number of F32. It was manufactured by the Providence Tool Company. The Ottoman Empire was a significant military force in the 19th Century and these Martini derivatives were replaced by Mauser Bolt Action Rifles and most were scrapped. They were still in use during WW1 but Turkey being on the wrong side of the Armistice having allied to Axis forces ensured that remaining stockpiles were destroyed. There is significant research information available about these interesting rifles and this one would make a good addition to a Martini collection. As can be seem the wood is decent, and the bore has good rifling. The rifle is mechanically sound and works flawlessly. A scarce and interesting rifle.
Very Good BSA Martini Cadet rifle
This is an excellent Martini Cadet rifle in .310 obsolete calibre. I have handled dozens of these over the years and this is a good one I would consider keeping for myself. Lots of original colour, unadulterated and with an original sling. The slings didn't last if they were used heavily. A lot better than most and becoming scarce. I bought this from a chap in the USA who bought it in the 1960's and never fired it as he could not find ammunition and didn't reload. One of the better ones. The Martini Cadet is a centre fire single-shot rifle produced in the United Kingdom by BSA and W.W. Greener for the use of Australian military Cadets. Based on a miniature version of the Martini–Henry it was internally different. Chambered for the .310 Cadet also known as the .310 Greener, they were also sold to the public as the BSA No.4, 4a, 4b and 5 in other calibres like the .297/230 and .22 rim fire.
Unusual Alligator Hunting Howdah Pistol Set.
This is one of the most unusual items I have ever offered and I have offered a few! This is an alligator hunting Howdah pistol set. In the past I have seen several Vampire hunting sets but never an alligator hunting set! I sold this several years ago to a customer who has now changed his collecting interests and it has never been on the open market to my knowledge. Effectively it is a double barrel Howdah pistol with all accessories, mould, Hawksley Flask, turn screws etc. The calibre is stated as 12 mm and it is Liege proofed and of high quality. The Liege proof was significantly more severe than British proofs and when you see the size of the lead balls this pistol needed it. The case has brass corners that I suspect were added later as there is some rubbing and it might look better if smaller corners were added. The lid has a stuffed Alligator Head with glass eyes and is quite a , dare I say it, bizarre conversation piece. I am told it originated in Louisiana and I am not sure if I can export this but will look into it if asked. An unusual item but of significant quality. An item for the collector who thought he had everything, but didn't!
Extraordinary Jones Percussion Shotgun circa 1830
This is an extraordinary beautiful and rare gun. This percussion sporting shotgun was manufactured by Jones a maker to HRH Prince Albert. The shotgun has an overall length of 47”, the barrel length is 29.5” “ and the gun weighs 7 pounds. The bore is approximately 16 gauge and it features London proofs. The gun is in museum quality condition and features Gardner locks. The Gardner patent was designed to protect the shooter from fragmenting percussion caps and also to prevent the caps from falling off when carrying the gun loaded in the field which was a common occurrence. The design is straight forward. The percussion cap is placed on the nipple after the hammer is cocked and then a spring loaded “top hat” is lowered over the cap to completely cover it. The hammers of the gun have flat faces and when they drop they hit the “top hat” covering the percussion cap and transferring enough energy to ignite the cap. Gardner was a gunsmith based in Newcastle upon Tyne. This beautiful shotgun features gold inlays on the Knox and a gold “London” square escutcheon adjacent to the inlays. The finely chequered wrist features a vacant silver escutcheon and the fore end features a silver pineapple finial. The barrels have a breath-taking Damascus finish as can be seen. The stock features a cheek pad, not unusual for an early shotgun, and the wrist has good chequering. Quite why Jones decided to fit Gardner locks to this gun is a mystery as he was a great innovator himself, holding several patents for “waterproof” locks and a clever dual ignition system, an example of which I sold last year. The application of the Gardner patent was short lived with rapid improvements being made to the quality of percussion caps by several makers. This gun was previously misdescribed by an auction house as being a converted flintlock, probably because of the external spring of the Gardner mechanism. It is not a conversion and is in a condition as close as it could be to the original manufacture. This shotgun is quite stunning and would take pride of place in any percussion arms collection.
Desirable Early Adams Cased "Automatic" revolve
This is an extremely attractive cased set with all accessories of an early Adams "automatic" self cocking revolver in 54 bore. These early revolvers were double action that held the advantage of speed as the whole action of cocking and releasing the hammer was undertaken with one pull of the trigger and as a consequence they were made without a trigger spur. Many of these revolvers were later modified with a rammer as the bullets were pushed in by thumb and had a propensity to fall out which could prove to be an embarrassment at the wrong moment! To keep the bullets in place they were made with a spiked tail and this set contains the correct mould that is probably rarer than the revolver. The revolver has a 6" barrel with the top strap engraved " Deane, Adams & Deane, Maker to HRH Prince Albert, 30 King William St, London Bridge". The right hand side is engraved Adams Patent No 6738R" which is actually the serial number not the patent. The revolver exhibits much original finish and has a captive cap container in the butt. The revolver features foliate engraving, an adjustable foresight and fine walnut chequered grips. There is a full compliment of the correct accessories and contemporary cast bullets. The powder flask was made by James Dixon and Son Sheffield. Overall an excellent case with accessories and seldom seen in such good and complete condition.
Extraordinary Jones Percussion Shotgun circa 1830
This is an extraordinary beautiful and rare gun. This percussion sporting shotgun was manufactured by Jones a maker to HRH Prince Albert. The shotgun has an overall length of 47”, the barrel length is 29.5” “ and the gun weighs 7 pounds. The bore is approximately 16 gauge and it features London proofs. The gun is in museum quality condition and features Gardner locks. The Gardner patent was designed to protect the shooter from fragmenting percussion caps and also to prevent the caps from falling off when carrying the gun loaded in the field which was a common occurrence. The design is straight forward. The percussion cap is placed on the nipple after the hammer is cocked and then a spring loaded “top hat” is lowered over the cap to completely cover it. The hammers of the gun have flat faces and when they drop they hit the “top hat” covering the percussion cap and transferring enough energy to ignite the cap. Gardner was a gunsmith based in Newcastle upon Tyne. This beautiful shotgun features gold inlays on the Knox and a gold “London” square escutcheon adjacent to the inlays. The finely chequered wrist features a vacant silver escutcheon and the fore end features a silver pineapple finial. The barrels have a breath-taking Damascus finish as can be seen. The stock features a cheek pad, not unusual for an early shotgun, and the wrist has good chequering. Quite why Jones decided to fit Gardner locks to this gun is a mystery as he was a great innovator himself, holding several patents for “waterproof” locks and a clever dual ignition system, an example of which I sold last year. The application of the Gardner patent was short lived with rapid improvements being made to the quality of percussion caps by several makers. This gun was previously misdescribed by an auction house as being a converted flintlock, probably because of the external spring of the Gardner mechanism. It is not a conversion and is in a condition as close as it could be to the original manufacture. This shotgun is quite stunning and would take pride of place in any percussion arms collection.
Good early Dragoon Adams revolver.
This huge Adams patent self-cocking or “automatic” Dragoon revolver is in 38 bore (50 Calibre) and features an 8” barrel. These revolvers did not have a spur on the hammer and were fired double action. The cased set features all of its accessories including the rare “tailed” mould. These early revolvers were made without a rammer and the bullets were simply pushed into the cylinder by hand and the hope was that the tail or spike behind the bullet would pierce the wad and hold it in place securely. This was not always the case and often the bullets would simply fall out of the cylinder leading to embarrassing or even fatal events. The revolver is in remarkably good condition with much original finish and is marked on the top strap with the makers name and address “Deane Adams & Deane, Makers to HRH Prince Albert. 30 King William Street, London Bridge”. The revolver is mechanically sound and has good grips with a captive percussion cap container with a hinged lid. The accessories include a James Dixon powder flask, oil bottle, nipple key and turn screw, cleaning rod and oil bottle. There is a small bag of original cast bullets also contained within the box. There is no doubt that this is an original set as the good finish of the accessories matches the finish of the revolver. The English case has a vacant brass roundel in the lid and has its original key for the lock although the lock escutcheon is missing. It is very satisfying to find a complete cased set with the correct mould that has not been messed around with and without the later modification of a rammer addition. For further and detailed information on this revolver read Taylerson’s seminal work on the subject “Adams revolvers”.
Fantastic Philadelphia Derringer
When I was first offered this at a trade show in the Southern States of the USA I thought ,Hmm very nice Italian reproduction. I was then told it was original so I took it apart and to my amazement it is! This is a mint condition, museum quality Philadelphia Derringer or Palm pistol circa 1860 more than likely from comparison made by Slotter and Co of Philadelphia. This percussion pistol is .41 calibre and designed to kill or maim "close and personal" as proved by the assassination of Abraham Lincoln by a virtually identical pistol made by Henry Deringer. The pistol exudes quality, It has 18 carat gold bands on the barrel complimented with an 18 carat gold foresight. Silver pineapple filial on the trigger guard with a silver escutcheon ( clear ) on the rear grip. This is a quintessential derringer and could not be bettered. Certainly you could pay three times as much for a mediocre Henry Deringer pistol but as an example of the gun makers art in respect of miniaturisation this is a museum quality piece that cannot be bettered.