Wilson55 Auctioneers & Valuers
Los 35
Cased Hollis and Sheath percussion .577 volunteer rifle, 36 inch barrel secured by three bands and fitted with a folding ladder rear sight, engraved 'Hollis and Sheath makers to her majesty's war department' the lock with simple border line engraving and maker name, crisply chequered stock with vacant escutcheon. The oak case contains a heavy duty ramrod with brass muzzle protector, Field 70 grain cartridge tester stamped with 233 Holborn London address, G&J.W. Hawksley screwdriver, two scrapers, mainspring clamp, Sergeant's tool, nipple key with two spare nipples and hole clearing spike, leather sling, James Dixon and Sons Sheffield powder flask with leather covered body, bullet mould stamped WD for William Davies, cap tin with top hat percussion caps, oil bottle and one other tin. Section 58 (2) Antique / obsolete calibre, can be owned without a licence. Buyer must be over the age of 18, age verification will be required if the lot is to be posted out.The case measures 140cm x 24cm Rifle conditionThe rifle has a nicely used and lightly worn overall look. Most of the metal has lost its finish and there are just small traces of blue scattered found in small detailed areas. The metalwork has some light-speckled pitting marks throughout. The bore is in very good order with strong rifling and only a couple of light shadows which are more likely to be cleaning residue/ dried oil than pitting.The action cocks and releases with a strong spring. The nipple unscrews. The rifle has the look of one that has been held in the past on licence and used as it is all clean and well kept without the accumulation of dirt found on a gun that has been asleep for the last 100 or more years. The stock is free from splits or cracks, there are some light dents and scratches but nothing defacing.The screw which holds the rear sight spring in place is a freshly blued replacement.Case conditionThe case has several shrinkage splits along the lid as well as some around the brass screw heads. There are lots of chips, dents and surface marks from wear and use. Whilst the case is structurally sound enough to transport the rifle around in, the corners are starting to separate and come loose. The lock escutcheon is missing as is the key, the lid does not sit down quite flush around the lock area when closed. There is a section of partition broken away from the inside of the lining as well as a wood blocks for the rifle to rest on which are now missing. The linings have small chips and in places are starting to come loose. The inside lid has a bald patch of varnish where a label once existed. The contents of the case are probably not all original as the condition of the pieces varies, with the bullet mould being very heavily pitted but other pieces only having light pitting. The sling is dry and has surface cracks and wear.On second examination, I am not 100 percent sure the case was made of this rifle. It is certainly a case for a volunteer Enfield as the fit is near perfect. The only thing that concerns me is the loop at the front of the trigger guard to retain a nipple cover. This has worn a depression into the lining of the case and is an overly snug fit. I am not sure this is an error a casemaker would have made but cannot be certain. The loop on the trigger guard could have been added or changed however.
