Product Details
WATSON BROS.
A RARE .450 / .400 (3 1/4IN.) NITRO EXPRESS HILL & SMITH 1906 PATENT SKELETAL BODY TRIGGERPLATE-ACTION EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE, serial no. 13597,
26 1/8in. nitro Krupp Gussstahl chopperlump barrels with matt sight rib, open sights and two folding leaf sight with inlaid sighting lines and lock screws, ramp-mounted bead fore-sight, R. Hill and J.V. Smith patent lightweight skeletal treble-grip action, patent no. 28,188 of 11th December 1906, use number 6, removable striker discs, manual safety with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' detail, skeletal action body, bottomplate and furniture finely engraved with bold scrolling acanthus motifs on a matt background, retaining slight traces of original colour-hardening, 14 1/2in. figured pistolgrip stock (minor historic crack to rear of top tang) with engraved steel pistolgrip-cap, sling swivels and including 7/8in. rubber recoil pad, bolstered fore-end wood, weight 10lb. 6oz., in a modern brass-cornered leather case with accessories and Watson Bros trade label
Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed that the rifle was completed in 1907 for a company called 'Hill & S......' (presumably Hill & Smith) as a .450 / .400 (3 1/4in.) nitro express rifle. The records describe the rifle as 'skeleton body, wood covered' and they confirm that the woodwork was completed by Ebeneezer Hands.
Estimate £8,000-12,000
S1