BY BENJAMIN GRIFFIN, LONDON, CIRCA 1760

Details

A Fine 16-bore Flintlock Sporting Gun
By Benjamin Griffin, London, circa 1760
With two-stage Italian barrel retained by four double iron bands and with silver fore-sight and turned girdle, the breech stamped 'Rosina. In. Toscana' and struck with the gold-lined mark of Egidio Leoni of Ruosina (Neue Støckel 7776), and a second mark (blank), engraved grooved tang, border engraved flat bevelled lock signed on a ribbon, figured walnut full stock (minor bruising) carved in relief with shells at the barrel tang and with take-down fore-end, engraved brass mounts including shaped side-plate, and trigger-guard with first pattern acorn finial, four engraved ramrod-pipes, and horn-tipped ramrod with worm
46½in. (118.2cm.) barrel

Provenance

Alexander Montgomerie, 10th Earl of Eglinton (1723-1769), Eglinton Castle, Irvine, Ayrshire
Eglinton Castle sale, Dowell's of Edinburgh, 1-5 December 1925, lot 857

Literature

W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, Messrs Griffin & Tow and W. Bailes, pp. 18, 67, plates 20a-d, and colour plates II, III

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

The Eglinton Castle sale contained ten Griffin guns, four of which were double-barrelled (see lot 70)

The 10th Earl was murdered by Mungo Campbell, whom he discovered trespassing on his land. Campbell was convicted of the murder, but cheated the hangman by committing suicide in Edinburgh Castle

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