A non-firing G.E. Lewis Boxlock, 1938
A non-firing G.E. Lewis Boxlock, 1938
A boxlock, by G.E. Lewis, the action naively engraved with a charming scene, on one side partridge and the other pheasant, both in natural setting, surrounded by some foliate-scroll engraving, the carved fences with some delicate border engraving, the barrels polished in original steel, with classic double-trigger and figured walnut stock.
Although a famous engraver G.E. Lewis was making guns in Birmingham as early as 1859 although he did open several branches in London over the years. Towards the end of the 19th century G.E. Lewis gained international recognition with various awards and honours exhibiting his work. His ‘Gun of the Period’ is his most famous piece, which gained him Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at exhibitions. The business stayed within the family until it was put up for auction in 2003.
This gun was originally made for an H.E. Porter of Broxton, Cheshire. The records state that he was a ‘Motor Engineer’ of Broxton Garage. This was collected on 30th October 1938.
A non-firing W.W. Greener Boxlock, 1911
A non-firing W.W. Greener Boxlock, 1911
A 12-Bore boxlock, by W.W. Greener, the bright plain action with some delicate border engraving, the typical Greener side safety revealing ‘Safe’ in gold, this classic Greener feature makes the Greener action stand out from the rest, bright plain fences, with a classic double-trigger and well-figured walnut stock.
The Greener business began in 1829 when William Greener left Manton gunsmith and set up on his own in Newcastle. When breechloading arms were invented, his son William Wellington Greener saw this as the future and split from his father and set up in 1855 eventually moving to London. This sporting arm featured here was a product of William Wellington Greener (W.W. Greener). This Facile Princeps model with its side-safety was his most famous work.The original proof marks showed that this was proved in Birmingham from 1904-1925.
Stock: 56-59426
A non-firing George Smith hammer, circa 1860
A non-firing George Smith hammer, circa 1860
A stunning 12-bore hammer, by George Smith, the action superbly engraved with bouquet and foliate-scroll, with carved delicate fences engraved with the top tang boldly engraved with acanthus-scroll, Jones patent rotary underlever, the barrels in stunning Lockyer Bronze finish, with hammers and double-trigger in dazzling Lockyer Gold finish, with well-figured walnut stock.
George Smith operated from 1859-1897 and this piece is one of the earliest. A London maker with several addresses over the years from Davies St to New Bond St. This piece is of particular note as there are one or two George Smith hammer sporting arms in the Royal Collection at Sandringham. However, even this piece is an earlier serial number than those.
Stock: 29-211
A non-firing T. Bland & Son Boxlock, 1958
A non-firing T. Bland & Son Boxlock, 1958
A 12-bore boxlock, by Thomas Bland & Sons, the action with exquisite games scenes and beautiful foliate-scroll, on one side a game scene of dogs in natural setting and the other of game birds again in natural setting, with classic double-trigger and figured walnut stock.
Thomas Bland was first founded in 1840 although his family, namely his brother Edwin was trading from 1827. However it is thought there was no real connection between the two business’. The business had premises based in Birmingham and London, however in 1989 the business was bought by an American and that is where it currently trades.
Stock: 61-18780
A non-firing W.C. Carswell Boxlock, 1922–25
A non-firing W.C. Carswell Boxlock, 1922–25
A fine 12-bore boxlock, by W.C. Carswell, the action with superb bouquet and best foliate-scroll engraving, with stunning fences carved with handsome ribbons that cascade through additional best foliate-scroll engraving, the tope safety revealing SAFE in gold, the top lever, underside and trigger guard also engraved with bouquet and foliate-scroll, the barrels polished in their original steel finish, with a classic double trigger and highly figured walnut stock.
The business was first recorded in 1913 and the proof marks show 1904-1954. There were three known Liverpool addresses for this business, with the last recording being 1982. However this serial number suggests to be the period between 1922-25.
Stock: 11-6226
A non-firing Schneider hammer, circa 1870
A non-firing Schneider hammer, circa 1870
A beautiful 20-bore hammer, by Schneider, Strasbourg, the action with some border and acanthus-scroll engraving, the hammers engraved ensuite, with a beautiful scrolling underlever, carved fences, the damascus barrels in their original steel finish, with classic double-trigger and well-figured walnut stock.
Schneider was first registered in Strasbourg in 1846 by B. Schneider, the business then opened in Wissembourg in 1851, about 60km north of Strasbourg, by P. Schneider, they were presumably brothers working for the same company.
Stock: 155-RN07171LPH
***Please note this is an exhibition piece and does not fit our standard Lockyer presentation case.
A non-firing J.F. Smythe hammer, 1884 (Location: California)
A 12-bore hammer, by Joseph F. Smythe, the action with one diamond lozenge with foliate-scroll engraving, with some engraving to the fences, the barrels and hammers in original steel finish, with classic double-trigger and well-figured walnut stock.
Joseph F. Smythe operated his business out of Darlington, having worked for several gunmakers including W.W. Greener and P. Webley. He apprenticed under Alexander Henry. During the business’ operation, there were offices opened in Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesborough.
Stock: 17-9791
A non-firing and rare Vickers Armstrong Ltd Sidelock, 1932-38
A rare and fine 12-bore sidelock, by Vickers Armstrong Ltd, the beautiful patent action delicately engraved with border and fine acanthus scroll, the fences and top lever engraved ensuite to the action, the barrels in their original steel finish, with a classic double-trigger and well-figured walnut stock.
Vickers Armstrong Ltd was part of the famous Maxim Gun Company, very few guns were made under the name of Vickers Armstrong Ltd. Records show that this gun was made between 1932-38.
Stock: 15-1576
A non-firing Arthur Allan Boxlock, 1855-1926
A non-firing Arthur Allan Boxlock, 1855-1926
A 12-bore boxlock, by A. Allan, the action with beautiful foliate-scroll engraving set in diamond lozenges and ‘A.Allan’ engraved within an acanthus scroll, the ornate tapering fences also engraved ensuite to the action, with underside, top lever and trigger guard also engraved beautifully, with classic double-trigger and beautiful well-figured walnut stock.
Arthur Allan was a Glasgow based gunsmith that was first recorded in 1855 at 12 London Road until 1926 at 144 Trongate.
Stock: 54-1447
A non-firing C. Maybury Hammer, 1878-86
A non-firing C. Maybury Hammer, 1878-86
A stunning 12-bore hammer, by Charles Marbury, the action with games scenes of a hunting hound in an oval cartouche with two pheasant in natural setting, with border and acanthus scroll engraving, carved percussion fences, rebounding locks, the barrels in original steel finish
Charles Maybury was recorded from 1834-1886 and was resident at three address’ over this time. It is the address of 16 St Mary’s Square that dates this piece to 1878-86.
Stock: 43 – RN1216001CPH
A non-firing W.R. Pape boxlock, 1933
A non-firing W.R. Pape boxlock, 1933
A striking 12-bore boxlock, by W.R. Pape, 1933, the action with bouquet, acanthus and some foliate-scroll engraving, with toplever and fences engraved, with classic double-trigger, the barrels in their original steel finish, with well-figured walnut stock.
William Rochester Pape stared trading in 1831 in Northumberland, however the gunmaking business didn’t get going until 1857. He invented the choke boring system that became a very competitive area. W.W. Greener went on to develop this system further. The business closed in 1940 after his son had taken over the reigns. During this time however, Pape’s inventive mind had developed several other gun Patents together with other areas of industry, not to mention railway carriage windows!
Stock:108-13519
A non-firing Thos. Clough & Son boxlock, 1904-25
A non-firing Thos. Clough & Son boxlock, 1904-25
A charming Thomas Clough & Son 16-bore boxlock, the bright action with border and foliate-scroll engraving, the top lever and underside engraved ensuite to action, the barrels in Lockyer matt silver finish, with classic double-trigger and well-figured walnut stock.
Thomas Clough started trading by himself in 1893, having been in business with his father. However the Clough name was trading guns as early as 1815.
Stock: 125-3112