81

Wm. Moore & Grey Single Shot Fowler

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
Wm. Moore & Grey Single Shot Fowler
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA 92606
Fine William Moore & Grey Single Shot Fowler, #1960, 12 bore lightly choked, 29-1/4'' browned barrel, case hardened percussion lock, with fine banknote type engraving to sideplate, dolphin hammer, upper tang, buttplate, triggerguard, all screws and wedge escutcheons; breech plug is case hardened with platina band and bolster detail; barrel is marked ''William Moore & Grey, 45 Old Bond Street, London'', transitioning from round to banded to fluted to octagonal all executed in the finest Victorian style. The address and these features place its manufacture from the mid-1850s to the early 1860s. Original rosewood wiping/ramrod is retained with bugle and jag ends. Original platina front bead is present. Sharply checkered fine English walnut straight wrist is cut in the bird's mouth pattern as is horn-tipped forend portion of stock. William Moore was trained in the formal gunmaking style, having spent many years in the employ of Joseph Manton. William Grey was one of the finest stockmakers in England during that time period, having also manufactured many stocks for Purdey later in his career. Condition is excellent with just minor toning to browned barrel surfaces and thinning and mild silvering to case colors of lockplate. Pineapple finial triggerguard has very light overall toning. Stock with mild scuffs which appear to be only from handling, as interior of barrel shows virtually no use. Upper right edge of forend just forward of escutcheon with a minor loss that is near imperceptible. Bottom portion of barrel beneath stock is marked with ''late'' Victorian London proof and view marks. An exceptional and scarce Victorian fowler. Est.: $4,000-$6,000. (Antique)