Product Details
EX W. KEITH NEAL: H. DELANY, LONDON
A RARE FLINTLOCK BREECH-LOADING SELF-PRIMING SINGLE-BARREL SPORTING-GUN, no visible serial number,
circa 1720, with 33in. triple staged tilt-up barrel, the breech-section of octagonal to sixteen-sided form and engraved with borderlines and floral details, the top-flat at breech signed 'H. DELANY LONDON', engraved top-tang with sighting groove, the tip of tang engraved with a devil's head, internal dedicated removable chamber of 5in. length, engraved and moulded bevel-edged lock, the oversized pan with trap-door to outer edge opening to reveal the priming aperture, the action of opening the barrel causing a rotating section in the pan to collect priming powder from the magazine, figured walnut hand-rail butt-stock (cracked through and repaired at wrist), complex white metal rococo escutcheon engraved with an armorial, white metal side-plate carved and engraved in the form of a mythical serpent, carved border to lower edge of comb, large moulded and engraved white-metal heel-plate (butt shortened and re-lengthened in antiquity, the join disguised by silver wire inlay), carved, moulded and engraved iron trigger-guard bow and tang, retracting to release barrel, and no provision for fore-end, retaining its W. Keith Neal collection medallion numbered 'G185'.
Provenance: This unusual shotgun is discussed at length together with Delany's history on pages 405-406 of W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back's publication 'Great British Gunmakers 1540-1740'.
Previously sold Christies, London, Lot 92 9th. October 2000
Please click HERE to view Terms & Conditions.
Estimate £3,000-5,000