2518A

HEYLIN BREECH LOADING OFFICERS RIFLE

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
HEYLIN BREECH LOADING OFFICERS RIFLE
NSN. .68 Cal. rifled with 12 grooves x 35-3/4" long marked on top of bbl between breech at rear sight "CORNHILL LONDON". Two leaf rear sight is mounted 3-1/2" in front of breech. Left side of bbl has Tower of London private proofs and a Crown over "IB". 6-1/2" long lockplate marked under pan "HEYLIN" (Joseph Heylin 1757-1799). Lock is of very high quality having a rollerized fizzen and a sliding detent behind the cock. Both tail of lock and bbl breech are finely engraved. Bbl is loaded from the underside after removing the breech plug which is attached to the iron trigger guard (8 turns). Brass furniture consists of 3 ornate ramrod pipes, 4-step engraved buttplate, triangular sideplate and a very ornate wrist escutcheon. Walnut stock is 50-3/4" long having 3-slotted keys to retain the bbl and shell relief carving around the apron behind the bbl tang. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Bbl has been lightly cleaned yet reveals light pitting around touch hold which has been bushed. Lockplate is in fine condition showing only slight surface rusting which could be cleaned up and made to look much better. Bore is dusty and should clean to very good or better. Trigger guard and plate is nicely engraved, however, it too has some light rust and light pitting. Brass furniture is of high quality and nicely engraved indicating this was an expensive breech loading rifle when orig made. Walnut stock is in excellent condition with no cracks or splits and only some minor handling nicks and scratches. Gun appears to be all orig including the wooden ramrod which still contains its orig wiper. 4-49923 PAS28