Lot Essay
The late owner killed a brace of partridge with a single shot from this gun at some sixty yards
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BY HENRY NOCK, LONDON, CIRCA 1780
Details
A Fine 16-Bore Flintlock Sporting Gun
By Henry Nock, London, circa 1780
With rebrowned two-stage barrel with turned girdle and silver spider fore-sight, the lightly engraved octagonal breech section with gold-lined maker's mark and gold-lined touch-hole (relined), shaped tang finely engraved with foliage, a flower, and hanging game, all on a matted ground, flat bevelled lock retained by two side-nails, signed in script and with stepped tail and swivel link on the steel, finely figured walnut half-stock carved in relief with a shell behind the barrel tang, chequered grip bordered by dots, engraved iron mounts including trigger-guard with acorn finial, horn fore-end cap, silver escutcheon opposite the lock engraved with owner's initials 'SW', silver barrel-bolt escutcheons formed as scallop shells, and horn-tipped ramrod with worm (iron parts with some scattered light pitting), London and Tower private proof marks
39¼in. (99.7cm.) barrel
By Henry Nock, London, circa 1780
With rebrowned two-stage barrel with turned girdle and silver spider fore-sight, the lightly engraved octagonal breech section with gold-lined maker's mark and gold-lined touch-hole (relined), shaped tang finely engraved with foliage, a flower, and hanging game, all on a matted ground, flat bevelled lock retained by two side-nails, signed in script and with stepped tail and swivel link on the steel, finely figured walnut half-stock carved in relief with a shell behind the barrel tang, chequered grip bordered by dots, engraved iron mounts including trigger-guard with acorn finial, horn fore-end cap, silver escutcheon opposite the lock engraved with owner's initials 'SW', silver barrel-bolt escutcheons formed as scallop shells, and horn-tipped ramrod with worm (iron parts with some scattered light pitting), London and Tower private proof marks
39¼in. (99.7cm.) barrel
Provenance
J.N. George, author of English Pistols and Revolvers and English Guns and Rifles
Literature
W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back, Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790, plates 394-5
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.