4391 FINE PERCUSSION DOUBLE SHOTGUN BY ALEXANDER WILSON

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,000.00 USD
Estimated at 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
WITH CASE. Cal. 16 Bore. S# 5059. This little known, but high quality maker worked for John Manton before establishing his own business around 1804. The 30" skelp twist barrels on this gun are engraved "ALEXr. WILSON-SHERRARD ST. London" on broad concave rib. He was at this address from about 1810 until at least 1823. Well filed breech plugs have unvented platinum blowouts and inlaid platinum lines on rib extension. Breech iron of early style without integral fences is engraved with well cut scroll. Front spring locks are fitted with tall flat faced hammers with deep cups on noses to contain bits of flying cap, in early style as done before Purdey invented the breech iron with integral fences CA 1822. Locks are engraved with very nicely cut large open scroll that emanates from coiled sea monsters toward fronts of lockplates. Hammers also exhibit coiled monsters on their faces. Both lockplates are also engraved "ALEXr WILSON" "SHERRARD-STt. London". Trigger plate has stylized pineapple engraved in shell motif. Trigger guard bow has two game birds perched on scroll and tang has median curl forming pistol grip. Very finely marbled and figured European walnut stock measures 14-1/2" over iron buttplate with scroll engraved long tang. Flat top checkering is at grip and a vacant platinum rectangle is at top of grip. Stock attaches to barrels with captive side bolt through rectangular gold escutcheons. A greenheart ramrod with brass tip and tail (worm under cap) mounts through two plain pipes and pineapple type thimble. MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .672. R .672. Wall thickness: L .038. R .038. STOCK: DAH: 2-1/8". DAC: 1-7/16". CAST: about 1/2" off. LOP: 14-1/2". WEIGHT: 6 lb. 10 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: gun is housed in an old (possibly original) walnut case with inlet brass rectangle on lid which has dual pivoting hook closure. There are flush mounted folding "D" handles on each end. Interior is lined in blue velvet and contains: leather shot snake, hammer nut spanner, turn screw and key. CONDITION: good. Barrels retain a fair amount of what appears to be their original dramatic gray brown finish that shows extensive light cleaning with remaining light pitting. Other iron and steel parts are lightly cleaned to silver gray. Wonderful engraving remains clear. Stock retains what appears to be its original finish with many marks and dings and shows considerable hand wear at grip and forend. Checkering worn almost smooth. There is a repair at top rear of left lock. Bores are good to very good lightly pitted throughout. Locks are good. Case appears to be lightly refinished with many scratches and marks. Interior cloth is good, lightly soiled and rubbed. (01-25960/MGM). ANTIQUE. $2,000-3,000.