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BY ALEXR. HENRY, EDINBURGH, SERIAL NO. 3655 FOR 1875
Details
A .500 (BLACK POWDER EXPRESS) ROTARY-UNDERLEVER DOUBLE HAMMER RIFLE PRESENTED BY H.R.H THE PRINCE OF WALES DURING HIS TOUR OF INDIA IN 1875-6
BY ALEXR. HENRY, EDINBURGH, SERIAL NO. 3655 FOR 1875
With reblued sighted barrels with Henry patent rifling and inscribed on the raised rib 'FROM H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES K.G.G.C.S.I. INDIA 1875-76' and signed 'ALEXR. HENRY 12 SOUTH ST. ANDREW ST. EDINBURGH PATENT NO. 2781 MAKER TO THEIR ROYAL HIGNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES AND DUKE OF EDINBURGH', rear-sight of one standing and one folding leaf, border and scroll engraved action with carved percussion fences, rebounding bolted locks each signed 'ALEXR. HENRY', figured walnut pistolgrip stock with raised cheek-piece, the underside of the butt with two later white metal escutcheons, one engraved with the Prince of Wales' coat of arms, and scroll engraved mounts including pistolgrip-cap with hinged trap-cover (engraving worn throughout, stock cleaned, pistolgrip cracked and repaired, chequering recut, fore-end missing, one striker at fault), original black powder proof, in brass-cornered leather case (poor condition), almost certainly original, the exterior named 'MAJOR REGINALD SARTORIUS. C.M.G. V.C.'
28in. (71.1cm.) barrels
BY ALEXR. HENRY, EDINBURGH, SERIAL NO. 3655 FOR 1875
With reblued sighted barrels with Henry patent rifling and inscribed on the raised rib 'FROM H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES K.G.G.C.S.I. INDIA 1875-76' and signed 'ALEXR. HENRY 12 SOUTH ST. ANDREW ST. EDINBURGH PATENT NO. 2781 MAKER TO THEIR ROYAL HIGNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES AND DUKE OF EDINBURGH', rear-sight of one standing and one folding leaf, border and scroll engraved action with carved percussion fences, rebounding bolted locks each signed 'ALEXR. HENRY', figured walnut pistolgrip stock with raised cheek-piece, the underside of the butt with two later white metal escutcheons, one engraved with the Prince of Wales' coat of arms, and scroll engraved mounts including pistolgrip-cap with hinged trap-cover (engraving worn throughout, stock cleaned, pistolgrip cracked and repaired, chequering recut, fore-end missing, one striker at fault), original black powder proof, in brass-cornered leather case (poor condition), almost certainly original, the exterior named 'MAJOR REGINALD SARTORIUS. C.M.G. V.C.'
28in. (71.1cm.) barrels
Provenance
John Dickson & Son who hold the Alexander Henry records have kindly confirmed that this rifle was completed on 7th September 1875 as part of a large order of rifles for the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII, to give as gifts during his tour of India in 1875-6
The barrel and stock length remain as per the maker's records
Major Reginald Sartorius was awarded a Victoria Cross whilst serving with the 6th Bengal Cavalry following a daring rescue of a mortally wounded Houssa non-commissioned officer during the First Ashanti Expedition in January 1874. Sartorius had a distinguished military career in India and would have been a likely candidate to meet and perhaps receive a token from the Prince of Wales during his tour
The barrel and stock length remain as per the maker's records
Major Reginald Sartorius was awarded a Victoria Cross whilst serving with the 6th Bengal Cavalry following a daring rescue of a mortally wounded Houssa non-commissioned officer during the First Ashanti Expedition in January 1874. Sartorius had a distinguished military career in India and would have been a likely candidate to meet and perhaps receive a token from the Prince of Wales during his tour
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 20% on the buyer's premium.
Sale room notice
Please note this is not the original case for this .500 rifle but was made for one of the other rifles supplied to the Prince of Wales as part of the same order, almost certainly serial number 3654.
The full order was for a pair of .500 rifles (nos. 3652/3), two .450 rifles (nos. 3653/4), two .500 rifles (nos. 3655/6) and two .577 rifles (nos. 3657/8).
The full order was for a pair of .500 rifles (nos. 3652/3), two .450 rifles (nos. 3653/4), two .500 rifles (nos. 3655/6) and two .577 rifles (nos. 3657/8).