Lot Essay
This is the best of the Eglinton double Griffin guns, and one of the earliest English side-by-side flintlock guns. See footnote to lot 49
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BY BENJAMIN GRIFFIN, BOND STREET, LONDON, CIRCA 1760
Details
A Fine 22-Bore Early D.B. Flintlock Fowling-Piece
By Benjamin Griffin, Bond Street, London, circa 1760
With two-stage barrels each with chiselled girdle and without under-rib, the forward section with narrow top rib with a bridge at each end, the forward bridge bearing the silver fore-sight, the octagonal breech section signed within an engraved panel, the rear flat across the top and engraved with foliage, gold-lined touch-holes, engraved tang with integral back-sight, engraved flat bevelled locks each signed on a scroll, figured walnut half-stock (minor bruising) carved in relief with shells at the barrel tang, engraved iron mounts including trigger-guard with first pattern acorn finial, and broad fore-end cap, and brass-tipped ramrod with worm (some wear and light pitting), London proof marks
403/8in. (102.5cm.) barrels
By Benjamin Griffin, Bond Street, London, circa 1760
With two-stage barrels each with chiselled girdle and without under-rib, the forward section with narrow top rib with a bridge at each end, the forward bridge bearing the silver fore-sight, the octagonal breech section signed within an engraved panel, the rear flat across the top and engraved with foliage, gold-lined touch-holes, engraved tang with integral back-sight, engraved flat bevelled locks each signed on a scroll, figured walnut half-stock (minor bruising) carved in relief with shells at the barrel tang, engraved iron mounts including trigger-guard with first pattern acorn finial, and broad fore-end cap, and brass-tipped ramrod with worm (some wear and light pitting), London proof marks
403/8in. (102.5cm.) barrels
Provenance
Alexander Montgomerie, 10th Earl of Eglinton (1723-1769, for whom see footnote to lot 49), Eglinton Castle, Irvine, Ayrshire
Eglinton Castle sale, Dowell's of Edinburgh, 1-5 December 1925 (probably lot 917 or 919)
Eglinton Castle sale, Dowell's of Edinburgh, 1-5 December 1925 (probably lot 917 or 919)
Literature
J.N. George, English Guns and Rifles, pp. 116, 121-22, plate VII
W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790, pp. 107-8, plates 367-70
Idem, Messrs Griffin & Tow and W. Bailes, pp. 19, 64-65, plates 19a-d, and colour plates II, III
W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790, pp. 107-8, plates 367-70
Idem, Messrs Griffin & Tow and W. Bailes, pp. 19, 64-65, plates 19a-d, and colour plates II, III
Exhibited
The British Sporting Exhibition at the Imperial Institute, South Kensington, 14-30 January 1938, cat. no. 14
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.