Product Details
T. MURCOTT
A RARE 12-BORE THEOPHILUS MURCOTT 1871 PATENT 'MOUSETRAP' LEVER-COCKING HAMMERLESS SIDELOCK NON-EJECTOR, serial no. 3913,
30in. black powder only bold damascus barrels, the rib with a cartouche engraved 'THEOPs. MURCOTT'S PATENT. 68 HAYMARKET. LONDON.', and '1', (refreshed), 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. true cyl. in both, Theophilus Murcott patent action, patent no. 1003 of 15th April 1871, use number 3913, push-forward underlever with unusual triggerplate mounted housing, variant T-section barrel locking bite, manual lever safety with gold-inlaid 'LOCK'D' detail and engraved 'PATENT SAFETY', leaf fences, the action and lockplates profusely engraved with bold acanthus scrollwork interspersed with floral motifs and ornate bordering, the lockplates signed 'T. MURCOTT'S PATENT' in scrolling banners, bright and blued finish overall, 15in. boldly figured stock including 1in. wooden extension, weight 6lb. 10oz., in its lightweight leather case
Literature: This gun features in Nigel Brown's book 'British Gunmakers Volume One' in the first batch of colour plates between pages16 and 17
Other Notes: The Murcott 1871 patent became known as 'the mousetrap' due to its rather fierce underlever snap action. A significant gun historically, being widely accepted as the first successful British design of hammerless gun to use the tubed cartridge similar to today's ammunition.
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Estimate £1,500-2,000
S2