VERY RARE MacNAUGHTON TRIGGER PLATE ACTION SINGLE SHOT FALLING BLOCK 450 RIFLE WITH CASE.

VERY RARE MacNAUGHTON TRIGGER PLATE ACTION SINGLE SHOT FALLING BLOCK 450 RIFLE WITH CASE. SN 1171. Cal. 500/450 #1. 26-3/4″ Round Steel bbl w/ Nock form is engraved “James MacNaughton, 26 Hanover St. Edinburgh.” on the top w/ one standing, one folding express sight w/ platinum lines and sighted for 100 and 300 yds. transversally dovetailed through a small block. Platinum bead front sight is longitudinally dovetailed through a block base. Left rear of bbl is stamped w/ London provisional and definitive black powder proofs and “.440”. Case hardened action is marked “MacNaughton’s patent no.127/1171” on both sides and “Patent no. 127” in filed circular flat on top of receiver ring. This is the patent use number which refers to the famous MacNaughton trigger plate patent as used in many celebrated double guns. Action is also engraved w/ fairly large shaded scroll. The floor plate is engraved w/ feather motif and SN “1171”. The lever has matching scroll engraving. The relatively plain straight grip reddish European walnut buttstock measures 14-1/4″ over a checkered horn butt plate, featuring side panels, round German silver crest plate and 18 LPI checkering w/ mullered borders. Alexander Henry type forend is attached to the bbl w/ screw, w/ wood, panels, and checkering to match buttstock. This is the same rifle as is pictured and described in Jonathan Kirton’s THE BRITISH FALLING BLOCK BREECH LOADING RIFLE from 1865. This rifle has undergone complete restoration since the publication of the book. Reproduction cherry and oak case has brass hook fasteners. Interior is lined in red cloth w/ reproduction James MacNaughton paper label. CONDITION: Very fine as restored. Bbl retains 85%-90% original blue, thinning and flaking toward breech, and around muzzle. Action retains virtually all of its high quality re-case color. Stocks retain virtually all their restored finish. There are some areas of repair on right hand side of buttstock near action, and a few small chips missing near rear of bottom tang. Breech block and trigger are polished bright. Action is tight. Strong bore is shiny w/ evidence of some frosting and very light pitting at throat and muzzle. Case is near excellent w/ a few scuffs. Very scarce rifle w/ only five examples being listed in Kirton, and one of the very few actually listed in MacNaughton records. This one is identified as “Edinburgh hammerless express single rifle” and was sold in 1894 to P. Campbell of Perth. Very few of these rifles were made because of a patent dispute between MacNaughton and Alexander Henry. A piece of gunmaking history. 4-37410 MGM6 (5,500-7,500)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2009

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
	1245	$5,175.00	VERY RARE MacNAUGHTON TRIGGER PLATE ACTION SINGLE SHOT FALLING BLOCK 450 RIFLE WITH CASE. SN 1171. Cal. 500/450 #1. 26-3/4″ Round Steel bbl w/ Nock form is engraved “James MacNaughton, 26 Hanover St. Edinburgh.” on the top w/ one standing, one folding express sight w/ platinum lines and sighted for 100 and 300 yds. transversally dovetailed through a small block. Platinum bead front sight is longitudinally dovetailed through a block base. Left rear of bbl is stamped w/ London provisional and definitive black powder proofs and “.440”. Case hardened action is marked “MacNaughton’s patent no.127/1171” on both sides and “Patent no. 127” in filed circular flat on top of receiver ring. This is the patent use number which refers to the famous MacNaughton trigger plate patent as used in many celebrated double guns. Action is also engraved w/ fairly large shaded scroll. The floor plate is engraved w/ feather motif and SN “1171”. The lever has matching scroll engraving. The relatively plain straight grip reddish European walnut buttstock measures 14-1/4″ over a checkered horn butt plate, featuring side panels, round German silver crest plate and 18 LPI checkering w/ mullered borders. Alexander Henry type forend is attached to the bbl w/ screw, w/ wood, panels, and checkering to match buttstock. This is the same rifle as is pictured and described in Jonathan Kirton’s THE BRITISH FALLING BLOCK BREECH LOADING RIFLE from 1865. This rifle has undergone complete restoration since the publication of the book. Reproduction cherry and oak case has brass hook fasteners. Interior is lined in red cloth w/ reproduction James MacNaughton paper label. CONDITION: Very fine as restored. Bbl retains 85%-90% original blue, thinning and flaking toward breech, and around muzzle. Action retains virtually all of its high quality re-case color. Stocks retain virtually all their restored finish. There are some areas of repair on right hand side of buttstock near action, and a few small chips missing near rear of bottom tang. Breech block and trigger are polished bright. Action is tight. Strong bore is shiny w/ evidence of some frosting and very light pitting at throat and muzzle. Case is near excellent w/ a few scuffs. Very scarce rifle w/ only five examples being listed in Kirton, and one of the very few actually listed in MacNaughton records. This one is identified as “Edinburgh hammerless express single rifle” and was sold in 1894 to P. Campbell of Perth. Very few of these rifles were made because of a patent dispute between MacNaughton and Alexander Henry. A piece of gunmaking history. 4-37410 MGM6 (5,500-7,500) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2009 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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