Product Details
J. HAYTON, GRAHAMSTOWN
A FINE 40-BORE (BELTED BALL) PERCUSSION DOUBLE-RIFLE WITH TROPHY RIB AND AUXILIARY SIGHT, serial no. 7767,
circa 1860, with heavy etched browned damascus 30in. side by side barrels, the broad matted top-rib signed behind the rear-sight 'JOHN HAYTON GRAHAMS TOWN 7767' within a complex platinum wire border, the section of rib forwards of the rear-sight graduated also in platinum wire in one inch increments for measuring trophies, the sides grooved for an auxiliary ladder sight (included), dove-tailed fore-sight, blued six leaf 'African' rear-sight with platinum lines to each blade and a further standing leaf, none notched, colour-hardened breech-blocks with percussion fences, platinum plugs and full scroll engraving to the rib-end, borderline and scroll engraved colour-hardened long top-tang, border and scroll engraved bar-action colour-hardened locks signed 'J. HAYTON', scroll engraved en-suite hammers, chequered walnut half-stock with large rectangular patch-box to right hand side of butt with scroll engraved hinge and lid, the central portion of lid with a circular panel engraved with a prowling lion, the interior currently containing the auxiliary ladder rear-sight, colour-hardened smooth iron heel-plate with triple-stepped spur engraved with border and scrolls, engraved trigger-guard bow with raised chequered pistol-grip tang, plain etched damascus ramrod thimbles and replacement ramrod, the rifle retaining all its original colour-hardening, the browning darkened, the whole with the appearance of little use and storage marks only
Provenance: This rifle is accompanied by the volume 'The Cape Gunsmith' by Barry M. Berkovitch where it is mentioned on page 80 as previously being in the collection of Chris Sedgewick of Cape Town. It is one of the finest examples known and was believed purchased from surviving inventory of Hayton's shop on its closure
Please click HERE to view Terms & Conditions.
Estimate £2,500-3,500