Lot Essay
1771 was the first year of the partnership of Joseph Griffin and John Tow, which lasted until 1782
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BY GRIFFIN & TOW, LONDON, LONDON SILVER HALLMARKS FOR 1771
Details
A FINE 18-BORE SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK SPORTING GUN
By Griffin & Tow, London, London silver hallmarks for 1771
With swamped two-stage barrel retaining some of its original blued finish and with turned girdle and silver spider fore-sight, the breech section engraved with foliate sprays and signed in capital letters within an engraved panel, at the rear an engraved band of beadwork, gold-lined touch-hole, finely engraved grooved tang, flat bevelled lock finely engraved with rococo ornament and signed within a cartouche (cock broken), large engraved safety-catch, gold-lined pan, finely figured walnut full stock (fore-stock cracked and chipped) finely carved in relief with shells at the barrel tang, take-down fore-end, full silver mounts cast and chased in relief with shells, ribbons, flowers, foliage, a mask, birds, and hanging game, the side-plate involving a sportsman, dogs and game, the escutcheon engraved with owner's crest and initials 'RG', cast and chased rear ramrod-pipe, and orginal horn-tipped ramrod with worm (iron parts with surface rust), London proof marks, silver maker's mark of John King
37½in. (95.2cm.) barrel
By Griffin & Tow, London, London silver hallmarks for 1771
With swamped two-stage barrel retaining some of its original blued finish and with turned girdle and silver spider fore-sight, the breech section engraved with foliate sprays and signed in capital letters within an engraved panel, at the rear an engraved band of beadwork, gold-lined touch-hole, finely engraved grooved tang, flat bevelled lock finely engraved with rococo ornament and signed within a cartouche (cock broken), large engraved safety-catch, gold-lined pan, finely figured walnut full stock (fore-stock cracked and chipped) finely carved in relief with shells at the barrel tang, take-down fore-end, full silver mounts cast and chased in relief with shells, ribbons, flowers, foliage, a mask, birds, and hanging game, the side-plate involving a sportsman, dogs and game, the escutcheon engraved with owner's crest and initials 'RG', cast and chased rear ramrod-pipe, and orginal horn-tipped ramrod with worm (iron parts with surface rust), London proof marks, silver maker's mark of John King
37½in. (95.2cm.) barrel
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.