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.
Classic WInchester Model 1894 Rifle mfg 1894
The Marlin 1893 underlever rifle was the first Marlin that was manufactured in excess of 50,000 units, in fact a million rifles were made until the design was superceded in 1935 by the model 1894 which had a shorter action to allow the chambering of pistol cartridges. The model 1893 was an improvement on the previous model underlever rifle as it could handle much larger cartridges. The iconic Marlin 1893 was a direct competitor to the Winchester 1894 but had the advantage of side ejection which allowed easier mounting of scopes on top of the receiver. This particular good looking rifle is in obsolete 32-40 calibre so can be owned as an object of curiosity without a license. The rifle has a good tight action, nice bore and excellent wood with no major issues. The rifle features an octagonal barrel, steel crescent butt plate and is a special factory order length for this calibre of 30” which is scarce in a “safety” (high grade steel) barrel. Usual maker’s marks and patent marks are nicely stamped and in the correct place where they should be and the rifle has toned to a nice even colour as can be seen. This rifle is set up with a Lyman tang sight and the owner told me it was set up for long distance prairie dog hunting and bench rest shooting. Overall a pleasing example and somewhat scarce with an octagonal 30” barrel. For further information on this model read the excellent Marlin Firearms History by Lt Col William S Brophy.
Classic WInchester Model 1894 Rifle mfg 1894
The Marlin 1893 underlever rifle was the first Marlin that was manufactured in excess of 50,000 units, in fact a million rifles were made until the design was superceded in 1935 by the model 1894 which had a shorter action to allow the chambering of pistol cartridges. The model 1893 was an improvement on the previous model underlever rifle as it could handle much larger cartridges. The iconic Marlin 1893 was a direct competitor to the Winchester 1894 but had the advantage of side ejection which allowed easier mounting of scopes on top of the receiver. This particular good looking rifle is in obsolete 32-40 calibre so can be owned as an object of curiosity without a license. The rifle has a good tight action, nice bore and excellent wood with no major issues. The rifle features an octagonal barrel, steel crescent butt plate and is a special factory order length for this calibre of 30” which is scarce in a “safety” (high grade steel) barrel. Usual maker’s marks and patent marks are nicely stamped and in the correct place where they should be and the rifle has toned to a nice even colour as can be seen. This rifle is set up with a Lyman tang sight and the owner told me it was set up for long distance prairie dog hunting and bench rest shooting. Overall a pleasing example and somewhat scarce with an octagonal 30” barrel. For further information on this model read the excellent Marlin Firearms History by Lt Col William S Brophy.
Classic WInchester Model 1894 Rifle mfg 1894
The Marlin 1893 underlever rifle was the first Marlin that was manufactured in excess of 50,000 units, in fact a million rifles were made until the design was superceded in 1935 by the model 1894 which had a shorter action to allow the chambering of pistol cartridges. The model 1893 was an improvement on the previous model underlever rifle as it could handle much larger cartridges. The iconic Marlin 1893 was a direct competitor to the Winchester 1894 but had the advantage of side ejection which allowed easier mounting of scopes on top of the receiver. This particular good looking rifle is in obsolete 32-40 calibre so can be owned as an object of curiosity without a license. The rifle has a good tight action, nice bore and excellent wood with no major issues. The rifle features an octagonal barrel, steel crescent butt plate and is a special factory order length for this calibre of 30” which is scarce in a “safety” (high grade steel) barrel. Usual maker’s marks and patent marks are nicely stamped and in the correct place where they should be and the rifle has toned to a nice even colour as can be seen. This rifle is set up with a Lyman tang sight and the owner told me it was set up for long distance prairie dog hunting and bench rest shooting. Overall a pleasing example and somewhat scarce with an octagonal 30” barrel. For further information on this model read the excellent Marlin Firearms History by Lt Col William S Brophy.
Good Marlin Model 1893 rifle in obsolete calibre.
The Marlin 1893 underlever rifle was the first Marlin that was manufactured in excess of 50,000 units, in fact a million rifles were made until the design was superceded in 1935 by the model 1894 which had a shorter action to allow the chambering of pistol cartridges. The model 1893 was an improvement on the previous model underlever rifle as it could handle much larger cartridges. The iconic Marlin 1893 was a direct competitor to the Winchester 1894 but had the advantage of side ejection which allowed easier mounting of scopes on top of the receiver. This particular good looking rifle is in obsolete 32-40 calibre so can be owned as an object of curiosity without a license. The rifle has a good tight action, nice bore and excellent wood with no major issues. The rifle features an octagonal barrel, steel crescent butt plate and is a special factory order length for this calibre of 30” which is scarce in a “safety” (high grade steel) barrel. Usual maker’s marks and patent marks are nicely stamped and in the correct place where they should be and the rifle has toned to a nice even colour as can be seen. This rifle is set up with a Lyman tang sight and the owner told me it was set up for long distance prairie dog hunting and bench rest shooting. Overall a pleasing example and somewhat scarce with an octagonal 30” barrel. For further information on this model read the excellent Marlin Firearms History by Lt Col William S Brophy.
Classic WInchester Model 1894 Rifle mfg 1894
The Marlin 1893 underlever rifle was the first Marlin that was manufactured in excess of 50,000 units, in fact a million rifles were made until the design was superceded in 1935 by the model 1894 which had a shorter action to allow the chambering of pistol cartridges. The model 1893 was an improvement on the previous model underlever rifle as it could handle much larger cartridges. The iconic Marlin 1893 was a direct competitor to the Winchester 1894 but had the advantage of side ejection which allowed easier mounting of scopes on top of the receiver. This particular good looking rifle is in obsolete 32-40 calibre so can be owned as an object of curiosity without a license. The rifle has a good tight action, nice bore and excellent wood with no major issues. The rifle features an octagonal barrel, steel crescent butt plate and is a special factory order length for this calibre of 30” which is scarce in a “safety” (high grade steel) barrel. Usual maker’s marks and patent marks are nicely stamped and in the correct place where they should be and the rifle has toned to a nice even colour as can be seen. This rifle is set up with a Lyman tang sight and the owner told me it was set up for long distance prairie dog hunting and bench rest shooting. Overall a pleasing example and somewhat scarce with an octagonal 30” barrel. For further information on this model read the excellent Marlin Firearms History by Lt Col William S Brophy.
Good Winchester Model 1901 10 Gauge Shotgun
This is another nice Winchester 1901 Shotgun. The gun has a pretty good bore, original finish on the receiver, and has the original steel butt plate which was often removed and replaced with a rubber pad. The rest of the finish is faded as can be seen but the woodwork is good with no problems. This is a pretty good representative gun. The model 1901 was basically a redesign on the earlier 1887 model. Both 10 and 12-gauge models were offered in the Model 1887. It was soon realized that the action on the M1887 was not strong enough to handle early smokeless powder shot shells, and so a redesign resulted in the stronger Winchester Model 1901, 10-gauge only, to handle the advent of the more powerful smokeless powder. No 12-gauge chambering was offered, as Winchester did not want the Model 1901 to compete with their successful 12-gauge Model 1897 pump-action shotgun. Other distinguishing characteristics of the Model 1901 are: a two piece lever the Winchester trademark stamp was moved to the upper tang, behind the hammer serial numbers between 64,856 and 79,455 This particular shotgun has a serial number of 66855 and can be dated to 1902 and would have been one of the first ones manufactured. A real “Cowboy” gun. This is a good 1901 I have seen and would be considered scarce in the USA but rare in the UK. I am finding these increasingly difficult to source in the USA as there are actually more registered Winchester collectors than the number of these guns that were manufactured! This shotgun is chambered for the short 10 gauge cartridge and does not require a license to own it in the UK.
Outstanding cased LAC Kerr revolver.
This 54 bore Kerr revolver is in its original case as purchased, complete with all accessories including the LAC two band bullet mould, LAC nipple screw, flask, chamois leather bullet pouch with the original Kerr paper label etc. Mechanically perfect the bore is mint and it retains 95%+ finish on the barrel and frame with all correct proof marks and company stamps and engraving. The case is original with the key and the Kerr loading and cleaning label on the inside of the lid. There is a minor patch of rust on the cylinder which matches a mark in the case where the revolver has laid undisturbed for decades but other than that it is a wonderful example.
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.
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.
Unique Dual Ignition Shotgun by Jones circa 1830
In the world of gun collecting the word unique is often used for something rare or uncommon. There is no such thing as quite or very unique it is either one of a kind or it is not! It is unusual to be able to say that you own a unique gun but that is what I believe this is. This is an extraordinary and rare shotgun that was made circa 1830 with a dual ignition system so can be regarded as the epitome of transitional firearms. The lock features both percussion nipples and a flintlock these can be selected to fire flintlock, percussion or both by moving an interrupter switch which can isolate the platinum lined touch hole in the flash pan. Overall length is 45" with a barrel length of 29" with a bore measuring .6" so approximately 20 bore. The bores are bright and the walls of the barrels are thick enough to hazard a guess that the gun was also intended for use with solid ball. This is not a conversion; this is a custom made bespoke dual ignition firearm. Locks are marked "Jones" and the overall quality is excellent with good engraving, brass rope frame to the lock and silver pineapple finial adorning the trigger guard. There is one small contemporary repair to the butt which was clearly made during its short working life but not a significant detraction to the overall appearance of the gun. I assume that the gun was made for somebody who intended travelling overseas at the time it was made and who was concerned that he would not be able to purchase percussion caps overseas. The retention key or wedge that holds the barrels into the stock is equipped with a lanyard ring which is a novel idea and very sensible because the loss of this essential item in the field would have been disastrous. The locks are signed Jones and there is a silver escutcheon marked CJ which leads one to believe that the maker was Charles Frederick Jones. Charles Frederick Jones was the son of John Jones of Manor Row, Tower Hill (an armourer in the Hudson's Bay Company from 1785-1793). Charles was born in about 1800, and in 1814 was apprenticed to John Mason. He became a Freeman of the Gun makers Company (by patrimony?) in 1822. He was recorded in business at "Near the Helmet", St Katherine's, as a gun and pistol maker in 1822, and it seems his brother, Frederick William, joined him soon after the business was established. He was not recorded again until 1829 when, probably in addition to the St Katherine's premises, he had an address in Pennington Street, Ratcliff Highway. At this time his brother left to set up his own business. In 1831 he opened a factory in Birmingham at 16 Whittall Street. In 1832 he was recorded at 26 St James's Street. On 7 March 1833 he patented a percussion lock with a cock, tumbler and trigger made in a single curved piece (concentric sears and triggers), and a waterproof sliding cover (No. 6394 in the UK but also patented France), and on 12 June 1833 an improvement with separate triggers and sears (No. 6436). The caps of these Jones patent guns fitted on to the hammer noses and had the fulminate on the outside. This system was called centre-fire, and they struck the nipple and ignited the powder in the chamber. I dare say that this gun is a derivative of Jones work on the waterproof sliding cover which developed into the sliding interruption switch on his dual ignition shotgun. In 1838 Charles Jones described himself as a "Patent and General Gun maker", and later as a gun manufacturer. At about this time the firm had a shop at 32 Cockspur Street. There is no record of the firm in London after 1845, and the Birmingham factory may have closed in 1843, but Charles Jones was a member of the Acadamie de L'Industrie de France and the firm may have traded after 1845. Jones advertised that he was Gun maker to HRH the Prince Albert ( as did many others as the Prince was an avid hunter) Renowned British Gunsmith Peter Dyson believes the brass bolsters were fitted because the maker was worried about sideways expansion if both methods of ignition were used simultaneously. Peter stated that in his 50 plus years in the gun trade including his time as a Gunsmith at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, he has never seen another of these dual ignition weapons. This has not been seen on the market for decades and as a rare and possibly unique item I doubt if it will appear again for many years. A rare and significant Gun that could be the pinnacle of an advanced collection of sporting shotguns.