FINE ALEXANDER HENRY DOUBLE RIFLE MADE FOR PRESENTATION BY EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES DURING HIS 1875 – 1876 INDIA TOUR, LATER OWNED BY MAJOR SARTORIUS V.C.

FINE ALEXANDER HENRY DOUBLE RIFLE MADE FOR PRESENTATION BY EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES DURING HIS 1875 – 1876 INDIA TOUR, LATER OWNED BY MAJOR SARTORIUS V.C. SN 3654. Cal. .450 BPE. 28″ Finely patterned Damascus bbls with full length, lightly file cut rib, mounted with one standing, one folding leaf express rear sight, and longitudinally dovetailed silver bead front, are engraved “To Maj Sartorius, V.C. 6th Bengal Cavalry 1894” on central top of left bbl. Top of rib is engraved “From H. R. H. The Prince of Wales K.G.G.C.S.I.” and “INDIA 1875 – 76” along with “Alexr Henry 12 South St. Andrew St. Edinburgh Patent No. 2783.” and “Maker To Their Royal Highness’ The Prince of Wales and Duke of Edinburgh”. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs, SN, and “AH”, bottoms of bbls with “Henry’s Patent” “A & T 2459 and 2460” (Barrel patent use numbers, Adams & Tate, were bbl makers). Coin finished, Jones underlever action is fitted with peninsula non-rebounding back action locks having uniquely Henry styled serpentine hammers and front sliding stalking safeties that engage at half cock. Action is engraved with well cut small scroll at about 60% coverage. Lockplates and hammers are engraved with very well cut shaded small intricate scroll. “Alexr Henry” is in scrolled band toward tail of each lockplate. Broadly streaked and lightly figured, dense European walnut steel trap capped full pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/8″ over checkered and engraved steel buttplate, and features point pattern checkering, and classic attenuated Henry style shadow line right hand cheekpiece. A sling eye is on toe line along with large gold oval engraved with central Prince of Wales plumes surrounded by Order of Garter motto “Honi Soit Qui Maly Pense” in belt, surrounded by garland of roses, surmounted by Princes crown. This central crest is flanked by initials “A E” (Albert Edward), all above small crest of Star of India. Matching splinter forend has decorative engraved steel tip and fastens to bbl with captive side nail through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2-13/16″, drop at comb: approx 1-3/4″. Weight: 8 lbs. 9 oz. LOP: 14-3/8″. PROVENANCE: Binder with info on the Prince of Wales and his India trip, and Maj. Reginald William Sartorius, who won the V. C. for “conspicuous bravery on Jan. 17, 1874 during the attack on Abogoo in the Ashanti War.” He also served during the Indian mutiny, the Bhutan War, the Kossi campaign, the Volta Expedition, 1874 under Sir John Glover where he won the V.C., and the Afghan War of 1879. Factory records indicate that this rifle was completed on 7 Sept 1875 as part of a large order of rifles for the Prince of Wales to give as gifts during his tour of India. The full order was for a pair of .500 rifles nos. 3652/3, two .450 rifles nos 3653/4. Two .500 rifles nos. 3655/6, and two .577 rifles nos. 3657/8. Rifle no. 3655 was sold at Christies 23 Nov 2011. The lot included an old trunk case for this particular rifle no. 3654, embossed on cover “Major Reginald Sartorius C. M. G. V. C.” (trunk case not included in this lot). CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain 80 – 90% of what appears to be their orig brown, but is possibly a very old re-brown, with excellent definition to Damascus pattern. “Maj. Sartorius” engraving is still bright. Action and locks cleaned to coin finish. Stalking safeties retain most of a fire blue. Trigger guard re-blued and retains most of that blue. Stocks retain most of what appears to be their orig oil finish, with numerous minor dents and dings, checkering re-cut. There is evidence of repaired crack at wrist (does not flex). Bores are very fine with strong, sharp rifling throughout, slightly frosted, and with a few small pits. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks crisp. A very interesting, historically important rifle. 4-48992 MGM82 (10,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013

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
	1206	$28,750.00	FINE ALEXANDER HENRY DOUBLE RIFLE MADE FOR PRESENTATION BY EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES DURING HIS 1875 – 1876 INDIA TOUR, LATER OWNED BY MAJOR SARTORIUS V.C. SN 3654. Cal. .450 BPE. 28″ Finely patterned Damascus bbls with full length, lightly file cut rib, mounted with one standing, one folding leaf express rear sight, and longitudinally dovetailed silver bead front, are engraved “To Maj Sartorius, V.C. 6th Bengal Cavalry 1894” on central top of left bbl. Top of rib is engraved “From H. R. H. The Prince of Wales K.G.G.C.S.I.” and “INDIA 1875 – 76” along with “Alexr Henry 12 South St. Andrew St. Edinburgh Patent No. 2783.” and “Maker To Their Royal Highness’ The Prince of Wales and Duke of Edinburgh”. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs, SN, and “AH”, bottoms of bbls with “Henry’s Patent” “A & T 2459 and 2460” (Barrel patent use numbers, Adams & Tate, were bbl makers). Coin finished, Jones underlever action is fitted with peninsula non-rebounding back action locks having uniquely Henry styled serpentine hammers and front sliding stalking safeties that engage at half cock. Action is engraved with well cut small scroll at about 60% coverage. Lockplates and hammers are engraved with very well cut shaded small intricate scroll. “Alexr Henry” is in scrolled band toward tail of each lockplate. Broadly streaked and lightly figured, dense European walnut steel trap capped full pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/8″ over checkered and engraved steel buttplate, and features point pattern checkering, and classic attenuated Henry style shadow line right hand cheekpiece. A sling eye is on toe line along with large gold oval engraved with central Prince of Wales plumes surrounded by Order of Garter motto “Honi Soit Qui Maly Pense” in belt, surrounded by garland of roses, surmounted by Princes crown. This central crest is flanked by initials “A E” (Albert Edward), all above small crest of Star of India. Matching splinter forend has decorative engraved steel tip and fastens to bbl with captive side nail through shaped and engraved steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 2-13/16″, drop at comb: approx 1-3/4″. Weight: 8 lbs. 9 oz. LOP: 14-3/8″. PROVENANCE: Binder with info on the Prince of Wales and his India trip, and Maj. Reginald William Sartorius, who won the V. C. for “conspicuous bravery on Jan. 17, 1874 during the attack on Abogoo in the Ashanti War.” He also served during the Indian mutiny, the Bhutan War, the Kossi campaign, the Volta Expedition, 1874 under Sir John Glover where he won the V.C., and the Afghan War of 1879. Factory records indicate that this rifle was completed on 7 Sept 1875 as part of a large order of rifles for the Prince of Wales to give as gifts during his tour of India. The full order was for a pair of .500 rifles nos. 3652/3, two .450 rifles nos 3653/4. Two .500 rifles nos. 3655/6, and two .577 rifles nos. 3657/8. Rifle no. 3655 was sold at Christies 23 Nov 2011. The lot included an old trunk case for this particular rifle no. 3654, embossed on cover “Major Reginald Sartorius C. M. G. V. C.” (trunk case not included in this lot). CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain 80 – 90% of what appears to be their orig brown, but is possibly a very old re-brown, with excellent definition to Damascus pattern. “Maj. Sartorius” engraving is still bright. Action and locks cleaned to coin finish. Stalking safeties retain most of a fire blue. Trigger guard re-blued and retains most of that blue. Stocks retain most of what appears to be their orig oil finish, with numerous minor dents and dings, checkering re-cut. There is evidence of repaired crack at wrist (does not flex). Bores are very fine with strong, sharp rifling throughout, slightly frosted, and with a few small pits. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks crisp. A very interesting, historically important rifle. 4-48992 MGM82 (10,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013 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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