EXCEPTIONALLY FINE GIBBS/ METFORD FARQUHARSON LONG RANGE TARGET RIFLE WITH SIGHTS AND ORIGINAL CASE.

EXCEPTIONALLY FINE GIBBS/ METFORD FARQUHARSON LONG RANGE TARGET RIFLE WITH SIGHTS AND ORIGINAL CASE. SN 93. Cal. .461 Gibbs no. 2. This plainly finished example of one of the most famous target rifles of all time has 36″ tapered round bbl with front sight mounting block 2″ back from muzzle, and is engraved on top rear “Metford’s Patent, 708. George Gibbs, 29, Corn Street, Bristol.” Birmingham proofs are on left rear, and stamped with “48”. Metford number refers to the famous gain twist semi-smooth rifling, that was very highly regarded by all match shooters for at least two decades in the late 1800’s. This bbl is unusual in that it has a projection which extends over the breech block when it is in closed position, to make a better seal. No other example of this projection is illustrated or discussed in any of the books on single shot rifles. Beautifully polished and filed case hardened action has rear mounted pivoting safety on right side of action which is stamped “Farquharson’s Patent 93” (Use number). Left side is engraved “George Gibbs Bristol”. Unusual for a target rifle, the horn capped full pistol grip buttstock is of beautifully figured and streaked Circassian walnut, and measures 14-1/8″ over original case hardened steel buttplate. There is a vacant silver oval on toe line. Point pattern checkering is at about 24 LPI with mullered borders. Forend attaches to bbl with side nail through steel escutcheons, as is found only on very early Gibbs rifles, and ends in a horn tip. Front position vernier target sights mount to base attached to top tang, and are housed in early type black leather case embossed in gold “Metford Rifle Sights G. Gibbs, Bristol”, and lined with purple velvet and cloth. This is the most complete set of early sights known, containing vernier staff stamped “George Gibbs Bristol” and “92” with inset platinum side engraved in degrees of elevation, for sighting radius of 38.7″ which is the correct radius for this rifle, and a 1.2″ diameter eye cup. Also included in case is a screw adjustable front sight with platinum vernier which takes interchangeable front sight apertures. It seems Gibbs numbered these as to type, and a no. 3 post is in place in the sight. Also in the case are 8 additional apertures, numbered between 7 and 14. There is a place in the case for a Halford type front which does not appear to have ever been supplied with this rifle. Oak case with reinforcing brass straps at corners, has key lock and strap closure. Straps are held in place by large brass staples. There are remnants of an old paper label on top, inscribed in what appears to be Sanskrit. Unlined interior has many reinforcing blocks with paper “George Gibbs” label on lid. Case contains a pewter oil bottle and a small leather strap, probably the carrying handle. Weight of rifle: 9 lbs ll oz. CONDITION: Excellent, as found. Bbl retains 85 – 90% orig lustrous blue, most loss due to 6″ area in front of forend on lower right side of bbl where some rust has been cleaned, with some light pitting left behind, and blue thinned. Action retains 95% orig case hardening color, most loss being silvering of opening lever, and drag mark from safety. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig finish, with numerous small marks from handling and use over the years. Checkering is excellent with some minor compressions and a few missing diamonds. Buttplate retains 80 – 90% orig case hardening color with some browning and silvering toward heel. Bore is excellent, bright and shiny, nearly perfect. Action is crisp. Safety works. Sight box has small crack on top lid, and a few very small chips in leather. “Bristol” is missing its last two letters. Interior velvet is very fine with some staining from contact with sights. Silk in lid has some marks, mostly from contact with eye cup when attached to staff. Wooden case is good, with area on left bottom about 8″ x 14″ with termite damage, and this area corresponds to area of rusting on bbl. Straps are good. Interior label is missing bits and pieces which looks like silverfish damage, but is mostly readable. Oil bottle is excellent. Possibly the finest Gibb’s long range rifle in existence. 4-41817 MGM28 (27,500-37,500)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011

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
	1133	$0.00	EXCEPTIONALLY FINE GIBBS/ METFORD FARQUHARSON LONG RANGE TARGET RIFLE WITH SIGHTS AND ORIGINAL CASE. SN 93. Cal. .461 Gibbs no. 2. This plainly finished example of one of the most famous target rifles of all time has 36″ tapered round bbl with front sight mounting block 2″ back from muzzle, and is engraved on top rear “Metford’s Patent, 708. George Gibbs, 29, Corn Street, Bristol.” Birmingham proofs are on left rear, and stamped with “48”. Metford number refers to the famous gain twist semi-smooth rifling, that was very highly regarded by all match shooters for at least two decades in the late 1800’s. This bbl is unusual in that it has a projection which extends over the breech block when it is in closed position, to make a better seal. No other example of this projection is illustrated or discussed in any of the books on single shot rifles. Beautifully polished and filed case hardened action has rear mounted pivoting safety on right side of action which is stamped “Farquharson’s Patent 93” (Use number). Left side is engraved “George Gibbs Bristol”. Unusual for a target rifle, the horn capped full pistol grip buttstock is of beautifully figured and streaked Circassian walnut, and measures 14-1/8″ over original case hardened steel buttplate. There is a vacant silver oval on toe line. Point pattern checkering is at about 24 LPI with mullered borders. Forend attaches to bbl with side nail through steel escutcheons, as is found only on very early Gibbs rifles, and ends in a horn tip. Front position vernier target sights mount to base attached to top tang, and are housed in early type black leather case embossed in gold “Metford Rifle Sights G. Gibbs, Bristol”, and lined with purple velvet and cloth. This is the most complete set of early sights known, containing vernier staff stamped “George Gibbs Bristol” and “92” with inset platinum side engraved in degrees of elevation, for sighting radius of 38.7″ which is the correct radius for this rifle, and a 1.2″ diameter eye cup. Also included in case is a screw adjustable front sight with platinum vernier which takes interchangeable front sight apertures. It seems Gibbs numbered these as to type, and a no. 3 post is in place in the sight. Also in the case are 8 additional apertures, numbered between 7 and 14. There is a place in the case for a Halford type front which does not appear to have ever been supplied with this rifle. Oak case with reinforcing brass straps at corners, has key lock and strap closure. Straps are held in place by large brass staples. There are remnants of an old paper label on top, inscribed in what appears to be Sanskrit. Unlined interior has many reinforcing blocks with paper “George Gibbs” label on lid. Case contains a pewter oil bottle and a small leather strap, probably the carrying handle. Weight of rifle: 9 lbs ll oz. CONDITION: Excellent, as found. Bbl retains 85 – 90% orig lustrous blue, most loss due to 6″ area in front of forend on lower right side of bbl where some rust has been cleaned, with some light pitting left behind, and blue thinned. Action retains 95% orig case hardening color, most loss being silvering of opening lever, and drag mark from safety. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig finish, with numerous small marks from handling and use over the years. Checkering is excellent with some minor compressions and a few missing diamonds. Buttplate retains 80 – 90% orig case hardening color with some browning and silvering toward heel. Bore is excellent, bright and shiny, nearly perfect. Action is crisp. Safety works. Sight box has small crack on top lid, and a few very small chips in leather. “Bristol” is missing its last two letters. Interior velvet is very fine with some staining from contact with sights. Silk in lid has some marks, mostly from contact with eye cup when attached to staff. Wooden case is good, with area on left bottom about 8″ x 14″ with termite damage, and this area corresponds to area of rusting on bbl. Straps are good. Interior label is missing bits and pieces which looks like silverfish damage, but is mostly readable. Oil bottle is excellent. Possibly the finest Gibb’s long range rifle in existence. 4-41817 MGM28 (27,500-37,500) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2011 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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