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.
Rare Tranter
This is a Tranter Eureka Tranter patent side opening rook rifle in 297/250 obsolete calibre. The rifle was regarded by Stewart in his seminal work on Tranter as being rare with a very low production and very few being noted. The condition of this rifle is very good, possible old refinish but "back in the day", no major flaws, excellent walnut stock and fire blue nitre finish still evident on the opening lever and the trigger. The flip up leaf rear sight calibrated to 100 yards is extant which is nice because this was a vulnerable part and is often missing on rifles. No wear on the nickel but the blacking has some rubbing wear where the rifle was held in the left hand on the barrel in the absence of a forend. The bore on the rifle is very good, no pitting and the mechanics are good. I no longer use the adjective crisp as everyone else seems to now use this as a superlative so lets just say it works as well as the day it was made. Given the overall condition of the plating and woodwork I would say that if I owned this rifle I think I would have it professionally re-blacked to bring it back to 100% condition. This rifle is forendless as are most Tranter rook rifles and Stewart explains that the Eureka is occasionally seen like a large version of Tranter Brothers single shot pistols. The Eureka is a version of the Little Monarch but without the engraving. I have seen very few over the years and they are seen in both factory nickel and blued finishes. I have seen both round and octagonal barrels. Stewart also mentions that these were sold by the Army and Navy CSL and this rifle is stamped as such on the top of the barrel. The makers name and the calibre is also stamped on the rifle. The barrel is 26 long, overall length is 41 and the LOP is 14. There is not a lot that Stewart has to say about them in his book because he explains that there have been so very few noted. Overall an impressive looking and rare rifle that would enhance any collection I doubt if I will ever handle another one.
Outstanding Webley Mk 2 Target Pistol
I don't normally sell air weapons but in this instance I couldn't pass this by. This is a Webley Mk 11 "new target model" in .177 calibre in the original box. The story here is that the person I acquired it from explained that it belonged to his uncle whose own Uncle had given it to him as a gift but his mother would not let him use it. Consequently the gun is in mint condition and I have never seen a better one. This model was only made between 1925 and 1930 and as a consequence is scarcer than some of the other models and in this condition rare. The box is tatty from 90 years of house moves and could do with some attention but it still has the original box of pellets in a box built into the box and it has its original instructions leaflet.The pellets are the original supplied with the gun so are oxidised and the box also contains the original waxed paper packet containing the spare seals supplied with the gun People of an age ( like me) would have owned a Webley and it is an iconic gun that was used hard by their owners. Its a privilege to be able to offer such a great gun.
Outstanding Henry Deringer "Peanut" Pistol.
Henry Deringer perfected his famous pocket pistol designs before the US Civil War and manufactured them until his death in 1868. Based on his agents and known inscribed examples, it appears they were especially popular with politicians, bankers, and shopkeepers as well as gamblers and miners in the South and California. This scarce example is virtually identical to the infamous "Peanut" Deringer used by John Wilkes Booth in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. This example dates to the 1850s or 1860s and has the correct genuine Henry rifling. This was effective at short ranges for which these pistols were used. The barrel has a dovetailed German silver front sight, Deringer's classic brown and copper imitation Damascus finish, a German silver banded breech plug with "DERINGER/PHILADELA" on top, "P" flanked by sun burst designs on the upper left, and a notch rear sight on the integral tang. The floral engraved lock has "DERINGER/PHILADELA" near the tail. The wedge escutcheons, flash plate, trigger guard with late pineapple finial, side plate, thumb plate, tear drop inlay, and the nose plate are all also German silver. The escutcheon is engraved in contemporary style. The very short barrel version of this pistol is extremely rare and can be considered the pinnacle of any “Deringer” collection. An outstanding example and difficult to better.
Fine Ballards Deringer circa 1869
The Ballard Deringer is one of the scarcest Deringer pistols to find in reasonable condition. The survival rates are very low and the pistol was the only pistol manufactured by Ballard who was renowned for his superior quality rifles and who later became associated with Marlin Firearms. This particular pistol in 41 rimfire calibre is in exceptional condition with an unusually good bore, original silver plating and traces of case hardening and fire blue on the hammer and trigger. The makers name is on the top strap and the factory address and patents on the left hand side of the receiver. It is estimated that less than 1000 of these little pistols were manufactured in 41 calibre and the survival rate is very low. The grips are in very good condition with no cracks and the pistol functions properly with the ejector extant. An excellent example of a very scarce pistol.
Interesting Winchester Model 1885 Low Wall Single
This is a rather interesting single shot Model 1885 Winchester Low-Wall in obsolete 32-40 calibre. This rifle was manufactured in 1888 as evidenced by the serial number. The original calibre was 32 long and the purchaser specified the heavier number 2 barrel in 26 instead of the standard 26 number 1 barrel normally supplied. Originally in the 1885 catalogue the 32 long rifle barrel was specified at 24 long. This was later (but contemporaneously) rechambered, lined and stamped for the 32-40 calibre. The rifle has a strong action with a nice two stage trigger release and good bore. The extractor is intact and the wood is good with a nice fit and the original ebony tipped forend. No issues with the wood other than the odd expected pressure dents and scuffs. The rifle is stamped with the Winchester Repeating Arms address on the top flat and the patent date of October 7th 1879 on the lower tang as it should be. The rifle has the correct rear sporting elevating rear slide sight and German silver foresight which was an optional extra. Windage is achieved by drifting the front sight on it brass mounting Tenon. There is some finish but mainly mellowed down to an even patina as can be seen. From John Campbells excellent book on the history and analysis of Winchester single shot rifles it is clear that this was a popular variation. Winchester low-walls were always in demand for a variety of uses including hunting and target shooting and can be found in a variety of barrel lengths and calibres. This is a decent example of a very popular rifle.
Fine Ballards Deringer circa 1869
The Ballard Deringer is one of the scarcest Deringer pistols to find in reasonable condition. The survival rates are very low and the pistol was the only pistol manufactured by Ballard who was renowned for his superior quality rifles and who later became associated with Marlin Firearms. This particular pistol in 41 rimfire calibre is in exceptional condition with an unusually good bore, original silver plating and traces of case hardening and fire blue on the hammer and trigger. The makers name is on the top strap and the factory address and patents on the left hand side of the receiver. It is estimated that less than 1000 of these little pistols were manufactured in 41 calibre and the survival rate is very low. The grips are in very good condition with no cracks and the pistol functions properly with the ejector extant. An excellent example of a very scarce pistol.
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.
VERY GOOD REMINGTON POCKET REVOLVER CIRCA 1860
VERY GOOD REMINGTON NEW MODEL .31 CAL POCKET REVOLVER circa 1860 100% original 5 shot with 3 ¼” octagon barrel addressed “PATENTED SEPT. 1858/E. REMINGTON & SONS ILION, N.Y. U.S.A. on top flat. These little revolvers are far scarcer than the larger Army models as many were converted to cartridge in the late 1860’s. This revolver is mechanically sound with the original grips and overall a very pleasing example.
Fine Ballards Deringer circa 1869
The Ballard Deringer is one of the scarcest Deringer pistols to find in reasonable condition. The survival rates are very low and the pistol was the only pistol manufactured by Ballard who was renowned for his superior quality rifles and who later became associated with Marlin Firearms. This particular pistol in 41 rimfire calibre is in exceptional condition with an unusually good bore, original silver plating and traces of case hardening and fire blue on the hammer and trigger. The makers name is on the top strap and the factory address and patents on the left hand side of the receiver. It is estimated that less than 1000 of these little pistols were manufactured in 41 calibre and the survival rate is very low. The grips are in very good condition with no cracks and the pistol functions properly with the ejector extant. An excellent example of a very scarce pistol.
Early Moore No I all metal derringer manufactured
Another interesting breech loader this is a Moores No 1 all metal derringer with the rarer 2 barrel chambered for 41 rim fire calibre. The all metal derringer is considerably scarcer than the one with walnut grips that are usually encountered. This was a significant firearm when first introduced as it was the first large bore (41 rim fire calibre) derringer. This example was made by the National Arms Company who succeeded Moores Patent Firearm Company in 1865 and who was subsequently purchased by Colt in 1870. Most examples have a 2.5 barrel but this pistol features the shorter and rarer barrel. Approximately 3000 pistols were manufactured by the National Arms Company and this design was adopted by Colt for their popular derringer that was introduced in the 1870s. The cylinder is released by a latch and is side opening and the metal grips and receiver are foliate engraved and complimented with a cross hatch on the rear of the pistol to enhance grip. The makers name is stamped into the top flat of the barrel. Varieties are known that feature more complex or simpler engraving but all 2 barrels are scarce and attract a premium. Even scarcer are pistols that are not heavily pitted as the cartridges for the pistol used corrosive mercury primers and black powder and consequently the majority have very poor bores. This one was obviously looked after and has a clean bore. The pistol is mechanically sound and a very attractive example that would be an important addition to any collection of derringers.