THOMAS TURNER FIELD’S PATTENT ACTION METFORD-RIFLED LONG-RANGE TARGET RIFLE WITH LOADING TOOLS.

THOMAS TURNER FIELD’S PATTENT ACTION METFORD-RIFLED LONG-RANGE TARGET RIFLE WITH LOADING TOOLS. SN 3038. Cal. .461 Gibbs (Bore diameter .467). 33″ Round barrel with Nock form is totally unmarked, except for Birmingham provisional proof. Spirit level, windage adjustable front sight with removable apertures has platinum vernier scale on front edge, and is mounted in soldered on base. Blued Field’s patent dropping block side lever action has inset reinforcing straps which extend into the grip, similar to those shown on page 202 of THE BRITISH FALLING BLOCK BREECHLOADING RIFLE FROM 1865 by Jonathan Kirton, as applied to a Rigby rifle. Left side of action is stamped “Field’s Patent”, “No. 1927”, and “1877”. Right side is engraved “Thomas Turner”, “Fisher Street”, “Birmingham”, and “3038”. The number “430” is stamped on front of trigger guard, probably Field’s patent use number. Tall long-range vernier sight with inset platinum vernier is mounted on tang. Dark European walnut full pistol grip buttstock has a 3-1/2″ x 1-1/4″ rounded hole cut through for lightening purposes, and measures 13-15/16″ over very thin Silvers heel pad, and 1-7/8″ extension. There is a mortise inlet into the heel for mounting the vernier sight when rifle is used in back position. Flattop checkering at about 18 LPI is at grip and forend, which attaches to bbl with side nail through oval steel escutcheons. Forend has a shaped horn tip, and is inlet for octagon bbl. Included with the rifle is a set of extremely rare George Gibbs loading tools for .461 Gibbs cartridge, containing all pieces except capper /de-capper. Mahogany case with double hood closures, has green paper label with directions for use of tools. All of the larger tools are stamped “Gibbs Bristol”. All tools have their respective numbers, as shown and described on pages 126-129 of BRITISH SINGLE SHOT RIFLES VOLUME 2 by Wal Winfer. Also included with rifle is an old hang-tag which reads: “C. F. Target Rifle, Field Patent 1877. Vertical Falling Block with Push Forward Lever on Right. Hammer through Tang. Short Forend. No Bands. Metford .461 Bore. 33 In. (Turner Collection) Unlike the Soper can be Closed + Fired by Trigger.” PROVENANCE: DAVID D. SOBEL SINGLE SHOT RIFLE COLLECTION. Old hang-tag included with specifics of rifle. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbl retains 95% original blue. Action retains 80% of its original blue, flaking on floorplate, and silvering on sharp edges. There is a thumb-size area behind thumbpiece where blue has worn through, with some slight pinprick pitting. Stocks have most of their old finish. Butt extension has old finish, as well. Sights are excellent. Bore is excellent, bright and shiny, one or two barely noticeable pits toward muzzle. Loading tool box has numerous large cracks, some repaired, through top, sides, and bottom, as well as, numerous scuffs and abrasions. Label is stained from contact with tools, but mostly legible. Tools have most of their bright polish, but with some staining and pitting. Rifle and tools would profit by a judicious cleaning. Hang-tag string has nearly detached, and the tag is a bit tender, but legible. 4-39129 MGM18 (7,000-12,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010

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
	1437	$10,925.00	THOMAS TURNER FIELD’S PATTENT ACTION METFORD-RIFLED LONG-RANGE TARGET RIFLE WITH LOADING TOOLS. SN 3038. Cal. .461 Gibbs (Bore diameter .467). 33″ Round barrel with Nock form is totally unmarked, except for Birmingham provisional proof. Spirit level, windage adjustable front sight with removable apertures has platinum vernier scale on front edge, and is mounted in soldered on base. Blued Field’s patent dropping block side lever action has inset reinforcing straps which extend into the grip, similar to those shown on page 202 of THE BRITISH FALLING BLOCK BREECHLOADING RIFLE FROM 1865 by Jonathan Kirton, as applied to a Rigby rifle. Left side of action is stamped “Field’s Patent”, “No. 1927”, and “1877”. Right side is engraved “Thomas Turner”, “Fisher Street”, “Birmingham”, and “3038”. The number “430” is stamped on front of trigger guard, probably Field’s patent use number. Tall long-range vernier sight with inset platinum vernier is mounted on tang. Dark European walnut full pistol grip buttstock has a 3-1/2″ x 1-1/4″ rounded hole cut through for lightening purposes, and measures 13-15/16″ over very thin Silvers heel pad, and 1-7/8″ extension. There is a mortise inlet into the heel for mounting the vernier sight when rifle is used in back position. Flattop checkering at about 18 LPI is at grip and forend, which attaches to bbl with side nail through oval steel escutcheons. Forend has a shaped horn tip, and is inlet for octagon bbl. Included with the rifle is a set of extremely rare George Gibbs loading tools for .461 Gibbs cartridge, containing all pieces except capper /de-capper. Mahogany case with double hood closures, has green paper label with directions for use of tools. All of the larger tools are stamped “Gibbs Bristol”. All tools have their respective numbers, as shown and described on pages 126-129 of BRITISH SINGLE SHOT RIFLES VOLUME 2 by Wal Winfer. Also included with rifle is an old hang-tag which reads: “C. F. Target Rifle, Field Patent 1877. Vertical Falling Block with Push Forward Lever on Right. Hammer through Tang. Short Forend. No Bands. Metford .461 Bore. 33 In. (Turner Collection) Unlike the Soper can be Closed + Fired by Trigger.” PROVENANCE: DAVID D. SOBEL SINGLE SHOT RIFLE COLLECTION. Old hang-tag included with specifics of rifle. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbl retains 95% original blue. Action retains 80% of its original blue, flaking on floorplate, and silvering on sharp edges. There is a thumb-size area behind thumbpiece where blue has worn through, with some slight pinprick pitting. Stocks have most of their old finish. Butt extension has old finish, as well. Sights are excellent. Bore is excellent, bright and shiny, one or two barely noticeable pits toward muzzle. Loading tool box has numerous large cracks, some repaired, through top, sides, and bottom, as well as, numerous scuffs and abrasions. Label is stained from contact with tools, but mostly legible. Tools have most of their bright polish, but with some staining and pitting. Rifle and tools would profit by a judicious cleaning. Hang-tag string has nearly detached, and the tag is a bit tender, but legible. 4-39129 MGM18 (7,000-12,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010 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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