BY JOSEPH GULLEY, NO. 254 OXFORD STREET, LONDON, CIRCA 1815

Details

A Cased 15-Bore Flintlock Sporting Gun
By Joseph Gulley, No. 254 Oxford Street, London, circa 1815
With rebrowned twist barrel and silver fore-sight, the breech section octagonal then sixteen-sided, recessed patent breech with platinum-lined maker's stamp, three platinum lines, and platinum-lined touch-hole, finely engraved tang, signed engraved bevelled lock with large roller, stepped rounded tail, raised rainproof pan, and small pierced lip on the pan-cover (mainspring expertly replaced), finely figured walnut half-stock (minor bruises), chequered grip and fore-end (the latter with minor crack), raised cheek-piece, finely engraved iron mounts retaining traces of original blued finish and including scroll trigger-guard, case-hardened trigger-plate with pineapple finial, silver escutcheon engraved with owner's crest and initials 'HWS', silver fore-end cap, and original brass-mounted ramrod, the underside of the butt fitted with a spare side-nail (some scattered minor rust spotting): in original lined and fitted mahogany case with some accessories, the lid (cracked and repaired) with trade label, flush-fitting carrying handle, and circular escutcheon engraved with owner's name 'H.W. Stephens', London proof mark, the barrel forged by William Fullerd
31½in. (80cm.) barrel

Special notice

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

Lot Essay

Two notes in the case record that Keith Neal acquired this gun from Frank Russell of 25 Doughty Street in about 1936 for either £2.10.0 or £3.10.0, and that the replacement of the mainspring was arranged by Charles Greener
Frank Russell is mentioned in Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790 ('The Packington Story') as the dealer who, in 1930, acquired the Packington gun-cabinet (originally formed by the 4th Earl of Aylesford, 1751-1812) from the Dowager Countess of Aylesford. The Packington guns became the nucleus of Keith Neal's unrivalled collection of British sporting guns, and have not been resold
Joseph Gulley is recorded at 254 Oxford Street between 1805 and 1833

More from FINE ANTIQUE FIREARMS FROM THE W KEITH NEAL COLLECTION

View All