1205

HIGH CONDITION ARMY & NAVY HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
HIGH CONDITION ARMY & NAVY HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE.
SN 9372. (ca 1897) Cal. .500 BPE. 27" Dovetailed bbls have fine file cut full length rib with dolls head extension, mounted with one standing, one folding express rear sight marked for 150 and 250 yards, and silver bead front. Bbls are engraved "Army & Navy" and "C. S. L. London." on tops. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs. A sling eye is affixed to bottom rib. Case hardened, round bodied, Jones underlever action is fitted with peninsula back action locks with short, round bodied, serpentine hammers, engraved "Army & Navy C. S. L." Action and lockplates are engraved with line borders and a few small flourishes of incipient scroll. Top of action is stippled. Nicely marbled, lightly figured European walnut full capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-5/8" over partially checkered, blued, steel buttplate. Flat top point pattern checkering is at grip which has classic hard rubber cap. A sling eye and vacant silver oval are on toe line. Matching short splinter forend is nearly full checkered, and has forward pivoting lever release. Drop at heel: approx 2-9/16", drop at comb: approx 1-5/8". Weight: 8 lbs. 10 oz. LOP: 14-5/8". CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. Bbls retain approx 95% orig blue, with slight silvering at muzzles, and a number of light marks and scratches. All other metal parts retain nearly all of their orig case color and blue, with only some slight flecking and spotting on bottom of action and left lockplate. Buttplate retains a considerable amount of its bright blue, most loss due to flaking. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig rubbed oil finish, with a few handling marks. Bores are excellent, near mint. Action is exceptionally tight. Locks are crisp. Rifle is possibly unfired since proof. Although not of the highest quality, this well made rifle is in an astounding state of preservation as most rifles of this type saw heavy use in tropical environments. 4-49215 MGM228