Lot Essay
For The British Sporting Exhibition see lots 60, 76 and 136, and footnote to lot 191
Details
A RARE 12-BORE DOG-LOCK BREECH-LOADING SPORTING GUN
CIRCA 1670
With three-stage sighted barrel with pronounced turned muzzle-ring, octagonal breech section changing to polygonal, applied open back-sight with additional folding aperture sight to the rear, and threaded square-headed plug allowing loading from beneath, contemporary flat bevelled lock engraved with strawberry foliage and with dog catch in the form of a bird's head, moulded figured walnut half-stock, engraved brass mounts (some replaced), and cast and chased escutcheon engraved with a profile caricature head (barrel pitted and now polished bright)
44½in. barrel
CIRCA 1670
With three-stage sighted barrel with pronounced turned muzzle-ring, octagonal breech section changing to polygonal, applied open back-sight with additional folding aperture sight to the rear, and threaded square-headed plug allowing loading from beneath, contemporary flat bevelled lock engraved with strawberry foliage and with dog catch in the form of a bird's head, moulded figured walnut half-stock, engraved brass mounts (some replaced), and cast and chased escutcheon engraved with a profile caricature head (barrel pitted and now polished bright)
44½in. barrel
Provenance
Timsbury Manor, Nr. Bath
Literature
The British Sporting Exhibition, p. 33 (illustrated)
J.N. George, English Guns and Rifles, p. 48, plate 11, fig. 3 and figure VI
W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, Great British Gunmakers 1540-1740, p. 148, plates 44a-e
J.N. George, English Guns and Rifles, p. 48, plate 11, fig. 3 and figure VI
W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, Great British Gunmakers 1540-1740, p. 148, plates 44a-e
Exhibited
The British Sporting Exhibition at the Imperial Institute, South Kensington, 14-30 January 1938, No. 5