Best piece of the day was a rare 90-bore Henry Ball patent six-shot percussion revolver with 4in (10cm) barrel and chequered walnut grip. In Grade One condition with 99 per cent of its original charcoal blued colour, it sold at £3000.
Among the rifles, was a c.1860 American 100-bore percussion example, the top flat-, marked N.Whitmore Cast Steel. With a 2ft 23/4in (68cm) barrel, adjustable double-set triggers and walnut half stock came complete with period mahogany case brass bullet starter, brass bullet mould, rammer guide, turn screw and Dixon oil bottle. In Grade 2 plus condition, the rifle sold at £1900.
Appealing to a less specialised market was a pair of 15-bore brass signal cannon c.1850, with 171/2in (45cm) barrels. Cast in India for the East India Company they were brought back to England by Lord Kingsburgh after his time on the Sub-Continent and were presented by him to the Isle of Skye Sailing Club in 1910. At Birmingham they sold at £740.
The oddity of the sale was a c.1830 60-bore walking stick air gun by W.Watson of London. With screw-off handle and tapered 3ft 2in (97cm) barrel, this advance on the sword stick sold at £220.
Weller & Dufty,
Birmingham, July 25
Buyer’s premium: 15 per cent
All guns blazing on summer day
SPECIALIST collectors and dealers don’t seem to have a closed season, certainly not in the arms and armour world and they turned up in strength at Weller & Dufty in Birmingham on 25 July.
