Product Details
* THOMAS BOSS, LONDON
A FINE, CASED 14-BORE PERCUSSION DOUBLE-BARRELLED SPORTING GUN, serial no. 1606,
for 1858, no.1 of a pair (see below), with 30 1/4in. browned barrels, the top-rib signed 'THOMAS BOSS, 73 ST. JAMES'S STREET LONDON' together with the number '1', bead fore-sight, scroll engraved breech-end, platinum line and plugs, fully scroll-engraved broad top-tang, border and scroll engraved bar-action locks with scroll engraved dolphin hammers, figured chequered walnut half-stock with carved tear-drops behind the locks, scroll engraved iron heel-plate numbered '1' on the spur, silver oval behind trigger-guard tang, border and scroll engraved trigger-guard bow, engraved finials, and original brass-mounted ramrod, TOGETHER WITH its probably original single oak storage case, brass circular escutcheon to the lid engraved 'M.R.S.', brass screws and ogee brass corners, the interior compartmented and lined in dark green baize, original trade-label to the lid and complete with a number of period accessories including a fine leather covered nickel-mounted powder flask signed 'SYKES PATENT EXTRA QUALITY', a matching shot flask, an oil bottle, wad punch and a 14-bore ball mould
Provenance: The makers have kindly informed us that this shotgun, and also the following Lot, were ordered 1st May 1858 with 30 1/2in. barrels by Martin Ridley-Smith. They were built as a pair but with individual cases and were completed in June of the same year.
It may be of interest to note that Ridley-Smith is a maternal forebear of Nicholas Holt.
Literature: The original ledger entry showing the original specification of these shotguns may be found on the online catalogue.
Other Notes: Remarkably there is a chance to reunite the pair; for the number 2 gun see the following lot
Estimate £6,000-8,000