LOT OF RIFLE & REVOLVER USED IN HISTORIC FOUNDING OF AFRICAN COLONY.

LOT OF RIFLE & REVOLVER USED IN HISTORIC FOUNDING OF AFRICAN COLONY. 1) Webley No. 5 New Model Army DA Revolver. Cal. 476 Enfield. SN 84277. Blue finish with 5-1/2” ovoid shaped oct bbl with fluted top side flats, German silver front sight, fixed rear sight with 2-pc checkered, birdhead, walnut grips and a lanyard swivel in the butt. Top strap is marked “P. WEBLEY & SON / BIRMINGHAM”. Left front side of frame has the Webley logo winged bullet and there are tiny British proofs on cyl and frame. Accompanied by a much later, modern British canvas holster. This revolver apparently started out life as a caliber 455 Eley and was converted to the more powerful 476 caliber in an order of 250 such revolvers by Cecil Rhodes to equip his Pioneer column. CONDITION: Fine. Overall retains 40-50% glossy orig blue with the losses flaked to a medium patina with scattered fine pitting. Grips show moderate wear and are completely sound with some orig varnish. The cyl pin latch is broken but accompanies the revolver. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. Holster is new. 2) BSA Martini Henry. Cal. 577-450. SN 1108. Standard British military issue rifle with 33-1/2” rnd bbl, two bands with bayonet lug and sling swivels. It has unusual markings over receiver bridge with standard BSA & British military markings elsewhere and the date “1876”. Missing the ramrod. Statement from the Consignor: “These two antique military weapons were carried by my great-grandfather, Thomas Alexander Ross, in the Pioneer Column led by F. C. Selous in 1890. These guns were protection during the long overland trek from Cape Town to Mashonaland from April 15th to September 10th of that year. They were later used in the Matabele War of 1893 and the first half of the Shona Rebellion (1896). The land settled by my grandfather and 179 original colonists became the country of Rhodesia (today called Zimbabwe). Mr. Ross was an American mining engineer. He was hired by Cecil John Rhodes to accompany the Pioneer Corps to occupy Mashonaland. He is listed in the official Pioneer Handbook which was created on the 50th anniversary of the occupation of Mashonaland Province. Based on the information passed down to me over the years, both of these guns were manufactured in 1876. The rifle is a standard military issue Martini in .45 Boxer Henry. The revolver is a Webley No. 5 New Army Model revolver. The revolver is a very rare configuration: SA/DA side-gate loading and accepts both .476 Enfield and 45 Long Colt ammunition. Mr. Ross was an American, from Georgia. After accompanying Selous and Rhodes as a mining engineer in the Pioneer Corps, he returned to the U.S. briefly in 1897. Eventually he returned to settle in Rhodesia. These two firearms stayed in Rhodesia until the 1980s, when they were shipped to the U.S. for safekeeping. A letter of authenticity—signed by Thomas Alexander Ross’ great-grandson—is offered to the winning bidder. CONDITION: Good, no orig finish remains with the metal being a dark brown patina overall with some light, fine surface rust. Stock has very old, worn chips back of the receiver and retains a hand-worn patina. Mechanics are crisp, strong dark bore. 4-30572 JR356 (3,000-5,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1529	$3,450.00	LOT OF RIFLE & REVOLVER USED IN HISTORIC FOUNDING OF AFRICAN COLONY. 1) Webley No. 5 New Model Army DA Revolver. Cal. 476 Enfield. SN 84277. Blue finish with 5-1/2” ovoid shaped oct bbl with fluted top side flats, German silver front sight, fixed rear sight with 2-pc checkered, birdhead, walnut grips and a lanyard swivel in the butt. Top strap is marked “P. WEBLEY & SON / BIRMINGHAM”. Left front side of frame has the Webley logo winged bullet and there are tiny British proofs on cyl and frame. Accompanied by a much later, modern British canvas holster. This revolver apparently started out life as a caliber 455 Eley and was converted to the more powerful 476 caliber in an order of 250 such revolvers by Cecil Rhodes to equip his Pioneer column. CONDITION: Fine. Overall retains 40-50% glossy orig blue with the losses flaked to a medium patina with scattered fine pitting. Grips show moderate wear and are completely sound with some orig varnish. The cyl pin latch is broken but accompanies the revolver. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. Holster is new. 2) BSA Martini Henry. Cal. 577-450. SN 1108. Standard British military issue rifle with 33-1/2” rnd bbl, two bands with bayonet lug and sling swivels. It has unusual markings over receiver bridge with standard BSA & British military markings elsewhere and the date “1876”. Missing the ramrod. Statement from the Consignor: “These two antique military weapons were carried by my great-grandfather, Thomas Alexander Ross, in the Pioneer Column led by F. C. Selous in 1890. These guns were protection during the long overland trek from Cape Town to Mashonaland from April 15th to September 10th of that year. They were later used in the Matabele War of 1893 and the first half of the Shona Rebellion (1896). The land settled by my grandfather and 179 original colonists became the country of Rhodesia (today called Zimbabwe). Mr. Ross was an American mining engineer. He was hired by Cecil John Rhodes to accompany the Pioneer Corps to occupy Mashonaland. He is listed in the official Pioneer Handbook which was created on the 50th anniversary of the occupation of Mashonaland Province. Based on the information passed down to me over the years, both of these guns were manufactured in 1876. The rifle is a standard military issue Martini in .45 Boxer Henry. The revolver is a Webley No. 5 New Army Model revolver. The revolver is a very rare configuration: SA/DA side-gate loading and accepts both .476 Enfield and 45 Long Colt ammunition. Mr. Ross was an American, from Georgia. After accompanying Selous and Rhodes as a mining engineer in the Pioneer Corps, he returned to the U.S. briefly in 1897. Eventually he returned to settle in Rhodesia. These two firearms stayed in Rhodesia until the 1980s, when they were shipped to the U.S. for safekeeping. A letter of authenticity—signed by Thomas Alexander Ross’ great-grandson—is offered to the winning bidder. CONDITION: Good, no orig finish remains with the metal being a dark brown patina overall with some light, fine surface rust. Stock has very old, worn chips back of the receiver and retains a hand-worn patina. Mechanics are crisp, strong dark bore. 4-30572 JR356 (3,000-5,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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