Lot Essay
William Fletcher patented the action of this gun on 19 October 1863 (No. 2554). John Stanton was a well-known lock maker in Wolverhampton who took out several patents in the 1860s
Details
A 12-BORE D.B. PIN-FIRE SHOTGUN
BY WILLIAM FLETCHER 158 WESTGATE ST., GLOUCESTER, PATENT NO. 45, CIRCA 1865
With browned damascus barrels signed on the rib, signed scroll engraved locks decorated with game-birds and dogs, the inner sides stamped with the name of lockmaker 'J. Stanton', snap-action operated by a scroll engraved underlever in front of the trigger-guard, figured walnut stock, chequered grip, hinged chequered fore-end, scroll engraved iron mounts including skeleton butt-plate, silver escutcheon, and much original finish, London proof marks
30in. (76.2cm.)
BY WILLIAM FLETCHER 158 WESTGATE ST., GLOUCESTER, PATENT NO. 45, CIRCA 1865
With browned damascus barrels signed on the rib, signed scroll engraved locks decorated with game-birds and dogs, the inner sides stamped with the name of lockmaker 'J. Stanton', snap-action operated by a scroll engraved underlever in front of the trigger-guard, figured walnut stock, chequered grip, hinged chequered fore-end, scroll engraved iron mounts including skeleton butt-plate, silver escutcheon, and much original finish, London proof marks
30in. (76.2cm.)
Provenance
Sir Anselm Guise, Bt. of Elmore Court, Glos., who had inherited the gun from his grandfather
Literature
I.M. Crudgington & D.J. Baker, The British Shotgun, Vol I, p. 146, illustrated on p. 145