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Engraved Alexander Henry Double Barrel Hammer Rifle with Dholpur State Crest Inscribed Gold Stock Sh

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
Engraved Alexander Henry Double Barrel Hammer Rifle with Dholpur State Crest Inscribed Gold Stock Sh
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Engraved Alexander Henry Double Barrel Hammer Rifle with Dholpur State Crest Inscribed Gold Stock Shield and Case

This double rifle was once the property of one of the clan of Bamraolia Jats of the Dholpur (Dholpoor) State of India. There is a silver shield with the crest of Dholpur inset into the bottom of the stock and personally embossed case lid. The Dholpur State was a kingdom of Eastern Rajputana, India, founded in 1806 by the Bamraulia clan Jat Rana rulers. After 1818 the state was placed under the authority of British India's Rajputana Agency. The Ranas ruled until the independence of India in 1947 when the kingdom merged with the Union of India. The state had six rulers during that time. The rifle features Damascus barrels chambered in the 450 cartridge. Blade and folding bead front with one fixed and one folding rear leaf sights on the solid partially matted rib. The top of the rib is marked "ALEXR HENRY EDINBURGH AND LONDON/MAKER TO THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESS' THE PRINCE OF WALES AND DUKE OF EDINBURGH". The barrel flats are marked with the serial number, an "S" in an oval, "AH", British proof marks and "440". The water table is marked with the serial number, two "crown/V" proofs and "AH". The locks, frame, trigger guard, hammer, break lever and forearm release lever are engraved with fine English scroll. Each lock is marked "ALEXR HENRY" in a banner. The serial number is marked on the lower tang. There is a sling swivel mounted on the underside of the barrels. The barrels are brown Damascus pattern, the trigger guard and break lever blue and the remaining metal is casehardened. There are sliding safeties mounted in front of each hammer. Mounted with a fully checkered splinter forearm and pistol grip stock with checkered wrist, engraved iron grip cap with compartment, cheekpiece, sling swivel and solid recoil pad. Complete in an original leather and oak case with "HIS HIGHNESS/MAHARAJ RANA/OF DHOLPOOR" (appears to have been in gold), "GAUGE 450/CHARGE 5 DRS" in the lower left hand corner and "RIFLE/No 5798" on the lower right hand corner embossed on the lid, brass corner protectors, red felt lining with a leather Alexander Henry label affixed to the inside of the lid. In the case is a single cavity paper patch bullet mold marked "5798/AH", a powder measurer marked "D&B PATENT", a brass capper/decapper marked "500.450", a three piece case forming die, a brass bullet case crimper marked "'450 C&J.W. HAWKSLEY" and "A.HENRY/LONDON", a shell extractor, six hollow point lead bullets (two paper wrapped), three wooden handled screwdrivers, oiler and wooden handled punch. Length of pull is 14 1/8 inches, drop at the comb is 1 3/4 inches, drop at the heel is 2 9/16 inches, and cast off is 1/4 inch.

Manufucture: Henry Alexander
Model: Double-Rifle
BBL: 28 inch solid rib
Stock: walnut
Guage: 450
Finish: brown/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 5798

Very fine as partially refinished (the barrels some time ago), with 95% brown finish and Damascus pattern remaining, showing some muzzle and normal usage wear. The trigger guard is a mix of original blue finish and smooth gray patina and the break lever retains 80% thinning original blue finish. There is strong (25%) original case colors on the locks, mainly in the protected areas around the hammers and fences, with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The frame has a smooth gray patina with traces of original case colors in protected areas. The wood is very good with some moderate wear on the forearm and overall some minor handling marks. The recoil pad is hard and shows some chips and cracks. The markings are clear. Mechanically fine. The case is good with the straps and carrying handle absent, some scuffs and dark spots on the exterior and some minor soiling on the lining.