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HISTORIC STEPHEN GRANT HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE MADE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
HISTORIC STEPHEN GRANT HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE MADE

FOR HEATLEY NOBLE NOTED GAME SHOT OF THE EDWARDIAN ERA WITH CASE. Cal. 500 BPE. S# 5306 (circa 1883). Mr. Heatley Noble Esq., the son of John Noble, of Noble's Paint and Varnishes, grew up at the famous family home Park Place, Berkshire. Although not of noble birth, his wealth allowed him to rub shoulders with the best of society and was often invited to various shooting parties. In 1904, he was rated the #3 best game shot in England behind Lord Ripon and Lord Wasingham; and ahead of Prince Duleep Singh and the Prince of Wales. He was a dedicated ornithologist and wrote a few pamphlets regarding birds and especially their eggs. He was also a fisherman and deer stalker that purpose, is most likely the reason he purchased this rifle. The Atkin Grant & Lang gun history states that this rifle was delivered to him in November 1883. Stephen Grant had a fine reputation for his quality shotguns. Rifles by this maker are relatively scarce. This partially restored example has 28" best 3 stripe damascus bbls. fitted w/ file cut rib holding 1 standing, 1 folding leaf express rear sight & silver bead front dovetailed into muzzle. Tops of bbls. engraved w/ maker's name & address. Bbl. flats stamped w/ London black powder proofs, serial numbers & caliber "38". A sling eye is fitted to bottom rib. Case hardened Jones underlever rnd. bodied action fitted w/ rebounding peninsula backspring locks w/ front mounted stalking safeties. Locks are fitted w/ rnd. bodied serpentine hammers having tall checkered spurs. Action and fences are nicely filed. Action & locks are engraved w/ about 60% coverage well cut sm. scroll within scroll & line borders. Sides of action are engraved "Stephen Grant London" & maker's name is also on each lockplate. Case hardened trigger guard is also scroll engraved & w/ S# on tang which extends to steel grip cap. Full pistol grip buttstock of very attractive broadly streaked & somewhat fiddle figured flesh toned European walnut measures 14 5/8" over checkered steel buttplate w/ short top spur. Stock features beaded right hand shadowline cheekpiece, point pattern checkering at grip & a sling eye on toeline along w/ a silver oval engraved w/ a prancing colt (?) over the motto "FESTINA LENTE" ("make haste slowly"). Matching splinter forend has Anson release. MEASUREMENTS: STOCK: DAH: approx. 2 5/8". DAC: approx. 1 7/8". LOP: 14 5/8". CAST: 0. WEIGHT: 8 lbs. 14 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: rifle is housed in a vintage black leather case lined in bluish green cloth. An old Stephen Grant label is in lid. Bottom portion is semi French fitted for rifle & old accessories including a 2 piece brass cleaning rod, German silver broken case extractor by Hawksley, crystal oil bottle, bone striker bottle, rosewood covered oil bottle, case hardened main spring vice & ebony wad rammer. CONDITION: fine as partially restored. Bbls. retaining nearly all of a good rebrown w/ fair definition to pattern. Engraving on bbls. considerably softened, as is file cutting of rib. Action & locks retain 30-40% original case hardening color w/ balance a light silver gray. Stocks retain nearly all of a best quality oil refinish, checkering is competently recut. Bores are good to fine, mostly bright w/ some scattered light pitting throughout. Action is very tight, locks are crisp. Case leather has been conserved over a fair number of marks & bumps. Straps & handle are renewed. Interior of lid retains old cloth. Conserved old Grant label is considerably foxed and has some rubs through. Bottom compartment has been relined & has some minor compressions & rubs. Accessories are generally good. This fine best quality rifle would most likely make a good shooter. Provenance of original photograph in guilt decorated leather frame signed by Heatley Noble and dated 1910. AG & gun history has specifications of this rifle. Obituaries for John Noble and Heatley Noble. Photos of Nobles and Hoare varnish advertising information on Park Place, home of the Noble family. (01-20178/MGM). ANTIQUE. $8,000-15,000.