Antique Guns and Equipment
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*SUPERB*RARE*Pre 1871 Sasayama Castle Samurai Nagai Family Clan Mon Marked .500 Calibre Matchlock Rifled Musket Maker Signed ‘IETSUGU’ Castle Armoury Gun Number ‘6’, With Octagonal Barrel, Tooled Brass Fittings & Silver & Gold Leaf Decoration. Sn 21572:5 - 21572:5 The matchlock was the first mechanism, or "lock" invented to facilitate the firing of a hand-held firearm. This design removed the need to lower by hand a lit match into the weapon's flash pan and made it possible to have both hands free to keep a firm grip on the weapon at the moment of firing, and, more importantly, to keep both eyes on the target. This superb, rare to find, quality made, Japanese matchlock has been examined by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg, a copy of his hand written notes accompany the matchlock and can be read in image 2. In his notes Bill identifies the impressed Mon family badge on the underside of the stock as being that of the Nagai Samurai family who were retainers of the Aoyama Daimyo of Tamba province. The Nagai remained in service in Sasayama castle until the abolition of the Feudal system in 1871. He also identifies an inscription on the inside of the stock as being possibly the signature of the maker ‘IETSUGU’ and a castle armoury gun number ‘6’. Sasayama Castle was an early Edo Period Japanese castle located in the city of Tamba-Sasayama. The Sasayama area is a strategic junction of highways from Kyoto to both the San'in region, and the San'yo regions of western Japan. The castle was torn down in 1871 after the Meiji Restoration, Its ruins have been protected as a National Historic Site since 1956). The finely rifled bore of the rifle’s sighted 33 ½” octagonal blued steel barrel is clean. It measures 47 ¼” overall length. The barrel has Gold & Silver leaf decoration and its full wood stock has brass fittings with hand tooled foliate decoration. The action correctly moves the brass 'quick match' to the powder pan and the weapon is fitted with wood ram rod. The price for this highly desirable, rare matchlock with connections to a Samurai family and historic castle includes UK delivery. NB as an antique matchlock musket no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 21572:5 £2,750.00 |
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**EXTREMELY RARE & UNIQUE**1856-1864, Colt 1855 Patent Root’s Side Hammer .56 Calibre 5 Shot Cap & Ball Revolving Saddle Carbine Rifle With Saddle Ring & Victorian London Proofs Prize Rifle In 1866 To ‘Lc.Cl. S Moneypenny 19th Middlesex Rifle Vols. 16318. - 16318 The Colt revolving rifles were early repeating rifles produced by the Colt's Manufacturing Company from 1856 until 1864. The design was essentially similar to revolver type pistols, with a rotating cylinder that held five or six rounds in a variety of calibres from .36 to .64 inches. In 1855, with his Model 1855 patent, Colt introduced a spur-trigger revolver that featured a fully enclosed cylinder. These handguns were officially named Side hammer revolvers, but they also were known as "Root" revolvers after Elisha K. Root, who at that time was employed as Colt's factory superintendent and Chief Engineer. These ‘Root’ side hammers are found on Colt 1855 patent revolving rifles. A combination of Colt revolving pistols and revolving rifles were used on the Pony Express by the eight men who guarded the dangerous run between Independence, Missouri, and Santa Fe. When doubts were expressed about the ability of these eight men to deliver the letters on this run reliably, the Missouri government declared that "these eight men are ready in case of attack to discharge 136 shots without having to reload. We have no fears for the safety of the mail." All mail deliveries on this route were completed safely. The U.S. Government had purchased 765 Colt revolving carbines and rifles prior to the Civil War. Many of these were shipped to southern locations and ended up being used by the Confederacy. After the war began, the Union purchased many more rifles and carbines. Sources disagree over the exact number purchased, but approximately 4,400 to 4,800 were purchased in total over the length of the war. The weapon performed superbly in combat, seeing action with the 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry Union forces at Snodgrass Hill during the Battle of Chickamauga during the American Civil War.The volume of fire from this weapon proved to be so useful that the Confederate forces were convinced that they were attacking an entire division, not just a single regiment. This is an extremely rare, Colt 1855 Patent ‘Root’s Side Hammer .56 Calibre 5 Shot Cap & Ball Revolving Saddle Carbine Rifle. It is in excellent condition. It has a round steel barrel which is 21" long and the carbine size rifle is 39 ¾” overall length. The bore is clean with crisp rifling. It has a 5 shot revolving cylinder and the weapon’s single action firing mechanism functions perfectly. The frame is fitted with a steel saddle ring and it has the correct under lever captive ram rod which featured on the Colt pistols of the era. It has a brass blade fore sight and block ‘v’ notch rear sight graduated to 100 yards. The block has 2 folding ‘v’ notch leaf sights graduated to 300 and 600 yards. The cylinder & frame have Victorian London Black Powder proofs. The top of the frame is marked with Colt’s name and USA address and the cylinder is marked ‘Patented Sept 10th 1855 (55 is obscured by Victorian proof mark)’. The underside of the barrel is numbered ‘11784’. The original walnut stock is undamaged. It has a curved steel butt plate and brass trigger guard with extended tang with matching number ‘11784’. Uniquely, the stock is mounted with a silver presentation plate engraved ‘19th Middx R.V (British Army 19th Battalion Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Regiment) Presented By C** H.H. Williams Won By Lc.Cl. S Moneypenny). The price for superb piece of firearms history includes UK delivery. NB As an antique cap and ball firearm no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of collection or display. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 16318. £9,250.00 |
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**MINT BORE**MATCHING NUMBERS**1886 Dated WW1 Era Imperial German Army Spandau Model 1871/84 11mm Obsolete Calibre Tube Magazine Rifle Regt Marked ’1.GR.10.114’ To The 1st Garde Reserve Regiment 10th Kompagnie Weapon 114’ &M1871 Brass Hilt Sword Bayonet - 21680 The 11mm Mauser Model 1871/84 Rifle with tube magazine was adopted as the Infanterie-Gewehr 71/84. The rifle was designed and manufactured by Paul Mauser and Wilhelm Mauser of the Mauser company. It was issued to Infantry Regiments. This is an excellent, original example of the Mauser M1871/84. Its woodwork is undamaged & all original. The metalwork is undamaged with original finish. The barrel’s bore is near mint, clean & bright with well-defined rifling. The breech is crisply marked 'Spandau' with Crown and Imperial proof/ inspection marks, model designation and 1886 date. The weapon matching numbers on the breech, barrel & bolt ‘833’. The bolt action firing mechanism works as it should. It has a block and blade fore sight, ladder rear sight, bayonet lug, steel butt plate and sling swivels. The butt plate tang is Regiment marked ’1.GR.10.114’ To The 1st Garde Reserve Regiment 10th Kompagnie Weapon 114’ (see page 25 of German Small Arms Markings by Gortz & Bryans). The rifle comes with an original Imperial German M1871 bayonet for the 1871 & 1871/74 Mauser Rifle (see page 116 of The Bayonet Book by John Watts and Peter White). The bayonet has a brass grip, smooth on one side and grooved on the reverse. The hilt has a push button release. The blade has no visible maker or date marks. The single edged blade with fullers has light areas of staining consistent with age & measures 18 ½” length. The spine has a faint Imperial inspection mark (illustrated). As is common this bayonet is without scabbard. The price for this nice WW1 era rifle & bayonet set includes UK delivery. NB. As an antique obsolete calibre rifle no licence is required to own it in the UK if retained as a part of a collection or display. Sn 21680 £1,295.00 |
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1860’s Webley Bentley Type 80 Bore 5 Shot Double Action Only Percussion Revolver With Spurless Hammer & English Black Powder Proofs. Sn 21699 - 21699 Joseph Bentley held the patent for a double action revolver which he allowed to lapse in 1861. Thereafter the Birmingham & London Gun Trades made them in various forms. This is an excellent, original, Webley Bentley Type 5 shot percussion revolver. The weapon's captive loading arm & double action only firing actions work as they should. It has a 4 ¼” octagonal barrel (9 ½” overall). The barrel’s bore has light staining consistent with age & use & well defined rifling. It has a spurless hammer, small brass post fore sight and ‘v’ notch block rear sight. There are no visible maker or date marks on the pistol. The barrel and cylinder have English Birmingham black powder proofs. Its walnut grips are smooth finish. The pistol's metal work has areas of scroll engraved decoration and has been re-blued to a high standard at some point in its life. The price includes UK delivery. NB As an antique percussion revolver no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 21699 (drawers office) £675.00 |
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C1800 English Form Mothershead 54 Bore Flintlock Traveling Pistol With Screw Off Barrel, Safety Bolt & Folding Sprung Bayonet. Sn 21703 - 21703 This is an excellent, English form, steel framed percussion traveling pistol made or retailed by Mothershead (we cannot find a gunmaker named Mothershead in our books). The pistol measures 7 ¾” overall (bayonet closed) with a 2 ¾” turn off steel barrel. The barrel’s smooth bore has staining and residue consistent with age and use. On one side the action is signed by the maker or retailer ‘Mothershead’ below foliate decoration. The reverse has martial banners and arms. The underside of the action has crisp English black powder proof marks. It has a steel cock, sliding safety bolt and steel trigger guard. The pistol is fitted with a 2 ¼” long folding triangular section bayonet blade. The bayonet block has a sprung steel release button to allow the bayonet to fold into the closed position. When closed the tip of the bayonet fits into a notch in the front of the trigger guard. The bayonet is released and flicks open by pulling the trigger guard to the rear. The shank of the bayonet has initials ‘D.L’ most likely an inspection mark or bayonet maker’s initials. The pistol’s bag shaped walnut grip has just light bumps and bruises to be expected with age. The pistol cocks and dry fires crisply. The price includes UK delivery. NB As an antique flintlock pistol no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 21703 (drawers office) £695.00 |
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C1800 British Naval Officer’s Dudley Of Portsmouth (Hampshire), 54 Bore Brass Action & Barrel Flintlock Pocket Pistol With Screw Off Barrel & Concealed Trigger. Sn 21705 - 21705 This is a nice Naval Officer’s brass flintlock pocket pistol by Dudley of Portsmouth made C1800. We cannot find any reference to a gunmaker named Dudley working in Portsmouth in our books. Online references indicate there was a 19th century, jeweller, silversmith and sword cutler named Dudley working at Grand Parade, Portsmouth, Hampshire. The pistol is 6” overall with a 1 ½” screw off smoothbore brass barrel. The barrel’s smooth bore is clean. On one side of the brass action it is engraved by the maker or retailer 'Dudley' alongside foliate decoration. The other side has ‘Portsmh’ (Portsmouth) alongside martial banners and arms. It has a sliding safety, folding concealed trigger and steel cock. The action works as it should with a strong spring. It has London proofs on the underside of the action. Its walnut bag shaped grip is excellent, with no damage & inlaid with a void brass shield. The price includes UK delivery. NB As an antique flintlock pistol no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as a part of a collection or display. Sn 21705 (Drawers office) £695.00 |
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**SOLD**LAYAWAY 15/5**MINT BORES*LARGE**1821-1867 English Cole & Co Devizes (Wiltshire) Over & Under, Double Barrel, 50 Bore, Percussion Traveling Pistol With Octagonal Barrels, Captive Steel Ram Rod & Hinged Butt Trap. Sn 21707 - 21707 This is a large over & under, percussion traveling pistol by Cole & Co Devizes. A family of Gunmakers named Cole worked in Devizes Wiltshire from 1821-1867, Robert 1821, John 1821-44 & Frederick 1864-67 (see page 94 of English Gunmakers by Bailey & Nie). In our books there is no record of Cole & Co working in Devizes but it will no doubt be this family. The pistol’s octagonal steel barrels are 3 ½” in length (8 ¾” overall). The smooth bores are near mint, clean & bright. The barrels have English black powder proofs. The top barrel flat is signed by the maker ‘Cole & Co Devizes’, has a silver bead fore sight and ‘v’ notch plate rear sight. Its heavy steel frame is nicely engraved with foliate decoration. The trigger guard is engraved with a foliate design as is its hinged butt cap trap. It has double Dolphin hammers, double triggers & safety bolts for each hammer. Its captive steel ram rod swivels correctly. The pistol cocks and dry fires crisply. The original chequered panel walnut grip is undamaged and inlaid with void silver escutcheon. The price for this desirable pistol includes UK delivery. NB as an antique percussion pistol no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 21707 (drawers office) £0.00 |
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**MINT BORE**RARE**1870’s – 1880’s Victorian British Hills Patent Self Extracting Webley Type .442 Rim Fire Obsolete Calibre 6 Shot Double Action Revolver. Sn 21727 - 21727 During the Victorian era, prompted by introduction of American Colt & Smith & Wesson cartridge revolvers, many British Officers bought their own large calibre metallic cartridge revolvers and favoured them over percussion issue weapons for use on campaign. These revolvers in Tranter/ Adams / Webley Bentley form were used during the Anglo-Zulu War & Crimean War . This is a rare British Stanley Hill’s Patent .442 Rim Fire obsolete calibre Self Extracting Webley type revolver in excellent condition, with hinged, tip up loading and extraction mechanism, and hinged side gate. The Stanley Hill’s Patent Self Extracting Revolver was manufactured in several calibres, and under a few names from the early 1870s until the early 1880s. Similar in form to Webley revolvers they were extremely well made, expensive examples of the British gunmakers art. The pistol’s double action firing mechanism works as it should in both single and double action. It has an 8” barrel (13 ¾” overall). The bore is near mint, clean & bright with crisp rifling. The barrel has a blade fore sight & ‘v’ notched frame rear sight. The top of the cylinder frame is signed ‘Hill’s Patent London’. It’s finely chequered walnut grip is in excellent undamaged condition. The pistol's metal work is undamaged with even aged patina and foliate engraved decoration. The price for this rare piece of British firearms history includes UK delivery. NB as an antique obsolete calibre revolver no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 21727 £1,675.00 |
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**RARE DOUBLE TRIGGER**MINT BORE**British Victorian Benjamin Cogswell 224 Strand London Tranter’s Patent Large Frame .54 Bore Five Shot Percussion Revolver With Spurless Hammer. Sn 21713 - 21713 Between 1830 and 1842 Benjamin Cogswell was described as a pawnbroker at 4 Bengal Place. He then takes over at 224 Strand address & advertises himself as “Gun and Pistol warehouse” and later as gunmaker at 224 Strand. In 1863 Benjamin Cogswell (Jnr) takes Edward Harrison into partnership. Cogswell then becomes Cogswell & Harrison at 224 Strand. The famous Cogswell & Harrison still make best quality guns today and are London’s oldest surviving gunmakers. This is an original Tranter’s Patent .54" Bore 5 shot percussion revolver with spurless hammer and rare to find double triggers by Cogswell made at his 224 Strand premises. The weapon's lever rammer arm is absent (the price reflects the lack of rammer arm). Its double action firing mechanism works as it should. The pistol is fired in double action by using 2 fingers to pull both triggers at the same time or the long trigger spur can be pulled moving the hammer to firing position and rotating the magazine, then the small trigger is pulled to fire the pistol. It has a 6” octagonal barrel (12 ½” overall). The barrel’s bore is near mint clean and bright with crisp rifling. It has a blade fore sight & ‘v’ notch frame rear sight. The top of the cylinder frame is signed by the maker with his 224 Strand London address (illustrated). The frame is has number ‘No.4.663.T.’. The barrel and cylinder have English black powder proofs. Its dark coloured finely chequered walnut grip is in excellent undamaged condition. The pistol's metal work is undamaged & has original blue finish. The price for this rare tranter by a quality maker includes UK delivery. NB As an antique percussion revolver no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 21713 £1,275.00 |
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SOLD SOLD (10/05) 1856-1875 British Edward Whistler 11 Strand London Robert Adams Patent 54 Bore 5 Shot Double Action Percussion Revolver. Sn 21712 - 21712 Edward Whistler was an English gunmaker based in London. His business was established in 1825 and from 1856-75 the business worked from 11 Strand London, the company is recorded as Edward Whistler & Co 1876-1948 then Edward Whistler & Co Ltd C1949-56 all at the same premises (see page 212 of British Gunmakers Vol.1 by Brown). The arrival of Colt with his American methods of promoting business caused much resentment in the British gun trade. The outcome was a surge in quality revolver design and production by British makers including Robert Adams (1810–1870) who was a quality British gunsmith & inventor. This is an excellent, original, Adams patent 5 shot percussion revolver by Edward Whistler made at his 11 Strand premises in London 1856-75 before his business became & Company in 1876. The weapon's double action firing mechanism works crisply in both single and double action. It has a 5 ½” octagonal barrel (12” overall). The bore has just light staining consistent with age & well defined rifling. The barrel has a blade fore sight & notched plate frame rear sight. The top of the frame is signed by the maker ‘EdwD (Edward) Whistler 11 Strand London’. The barrel and cylinder have black powder proofs The frame is engraved ‘Adams Patent No. 41050’ which is faintly repeated on the cylinder. It’s finely chequered walnut grip is in excellent undamaged condition. The pistol's metal work is undamaged with even aged patina and its captive loading lever works as it should. The price includes UK delivery. NB As an antique percussion revolver no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 21712 £0.00 |
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