BY WILLIAM BAILES, LONDON, CIRCA 1760

Details

A 17-Bore Flintlock Sporting Gun
By William Bailes, London, circa 1760
With two-stage Spanish barrel stamped at the breech with the brass-lined marks of Antonio de Sala of Barcelona (one Neue Støckel 8178) and inlaid with numerous brass-lined decorative marks, silver spider fore-sight, engraved tang incorporating the prominent back-sight, signed flat bevelled lock with internal steel-spring and stepped tail, figured walnut full stock (minor cracks) carved with a shell in relief behind the barrel tang, engraved brass mounts including pierced cast and chased side-plate and escutcheon, trigger-guard with first pattern acorn finial, and horn-tipped ramrod with worm, London proof marks and Foreigner's mark
43in. (109.3cm.) barrel

Provenance

Made for Mr. Locker Lampson

Literature

W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, Messrs Griffin & Tow and W. Bailes, pp. 154-5, plates 73a-c, and colour plates VII, VIII

Special notice

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

Lot Essay

William Bailes (circa 1700-1766) worked at Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury from 1748 till his death. He was one of the first makers to place an anti-friction roller on the tail of the steel, and is credited by Sir Thomas Frankland (in Cautions to Young Sportsmen of 1801) with the invention of soldered double-barrel guns, and the iron under-rib. His business was continued by his widow, Mary, and his son, George

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