OVER-THE-TOP SILVER MOUNTED SINGLE FLINTLOCK FOWLER BY WILLIAM NICHOLSON OF CORNHILL LONDON CA. 1788.

NSN. Cal. 16 ga. (.672 Bore diameter). 37″ Bbl transitions from octagon to round through very fancy fleur-di-lis carved band. Gold poincon “NICHOL” “SON” (working in Cornhill London after 1786) is toward breech end. Bbl has extensively engraved flush silver inlay consisting of some scroll and floral treatment around poincon, two banners engraved “CORNHILL” and “LONDON”, band of blossoms and leaves at transition, with more flowers surrounding gold front sight bead in four legged gold spider. Touch hole is gold lined. Under rib is of silver, and is fitted with two beaded spiral engraved pipes which hold baleen ramrod with steel tulip head and brass tail with worm under cap. Breech iron has intricate engraving of sitting dog watching birds in a tree. Lock with slightly arched plate and rebated pointed tail, has lockplate and semi-waterproof pan thickly silver-plated in “Sheffield” style. Silver plate extends to bridled roller frizzen which has unusual replaceable steel. Feather spring has small bulbous finial. Serpentine cock was also silver plated. Lockplate is engraved with pastoral scene of fences and bushes around “Nicholson” in oval under pan. Flash pan is platinum lined. Lock internals are nicely filed with fancy scrolled bridle. Half stock of lightly figured European walnut has horn tip, and fine raised acanthus carving behind breech iron, and is completely silver mounted. Fancy trigger guard with scrolled grip with urn finial, is hallmarked for earliest George III duty stamp, 1786 date stamp, Sterling, London, and maker ” M.B” (Moses Brent). Silver skeleton buttplate with geometric engraving on edges has inlet urn decoration on butt. Sideplate has thin border surrounding scene of a dog and cottage. There are three silver quatrefoils in checkering at grip. Thimble is fancy cast with pineapple finial. Bbl is held to stock by two captive side bolts through silver acanthus shaped escutcheons. CONDITION: Good. Bbl and breech iron are overall dark brown patina with silver highlights on sharp edges. Lock retains most of its silver plate with areas lifting and missing, especially on cock. Stock retains some of what appears to be its orig varnish finish, worn away around silver from cleaning over the years. Silverwork remains very good, with some loss to detail from cleaning. Stock is sound with one small area of wood lifting at rear of lockplate. Bbl under rib is loose, as is one ramrod pipe. Lock functions well. Bore is good, shiny with some scattered pits. 53053-2 MGM (6,000-8,000) – Lot 1389

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2018

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
	1389	$0.00	OVER-THE-TOP SILVER MOUNTED SINGLE FLINTLOCK FOWLER BY WILLIAM NICHOLSON OF CORNHILL LONDON CA. 1788. NSN. Cal. 16 ga. (.672 Bore diameter). 37″ Bbl transitions from octagon to round through very fancy fleur-di-lis carved band. Gold poincon “NICHOL” “SON” (working in Cornhill London after 1786) is toward breech end. Bbl has extensively engraved flush silver inlay consisting of some scroll and floral treatment around poincon, two banners engraved “CORNHILL” and “LONDON”, band of blossoms and leaves at transition, with more flowers surrounding gold front sight bead in four legged gold spider. Touch hole is gold lined. Under rib is of silver, and is fitted with two beaded spiral engraved pipes which hold baleen ramrod with steel tulip head and brass tail with worm under cap. Breech iron has intricate engraving of sitting dog watching birds in a tree. Lock with slightly arched plate and rebated pointed tail, has lockplate and semi-waterproof pan thickly silver-plated in “Sheffield” style. Silver plate extends to bridled roller frizzen which has unusual replaceable steel. Feather spring has small bulbous finial. Serpentine cock was also silver plated. Lockplate is engraved with pastoral scene of fences and bushes around “Nicholson” in oval under pan. Flash pan is platinum lined. Lock internals are nicely filed with fancy scrolled bridle. Half stock of lightly figured European walnut has horn tip, and fine raised acanthus carving behind breech iron, and is completely silver mounted. Fancy trigger guard with scrolled grip with urn finial, is hallmarked for earliest George III duty stamp, 1786 date stamp, Sterling, London, and maker ” M.B” (Moses Brent). Silver skeleton buttplate with geometric engraving on edges has inlet urn decoration on butt. Sideplate has thin border surrounding scene of a dog and cottage. There are three silver quatrefoils in checkering at grip. Thimble is fancy cast with pineapple finial. Bbl is held to stock by two captive side bolts through silver acanthus shaped escutcheons. CONDITION: Good. Bbl and breech iron are overall dark brown patina with silver highlights on sharp edges. Lock retains most of its silver plate with areas lifting and missing, especially on cock. Stock retains some of what appears to be its orig varnish finish, worn away around silver from cleaning over the years. Silverwork remains very good, with some loss to detail from cleaning. Stock is sound with one small area of wood lifting at rear of lockplate. Bbl under rib is loose, as is one ramrod pipe. Lock functions well. Bore is good, shiny with some scattered pits. 53053-2 MGM (6,000-8,000) – Lot 1389 Auction: Firearms - Spring 2018 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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OVER-THE-TOP SILVER MOUNTED SINGLE FLINTLOCK FOWLER BY WILLIAM NICHOLSON OF CORNHILL LONDON CA. 1788.