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263 A RARE 20 BORE SILVER-MOUNTED FLINTLOCK SPORTING GUN BY EDWARD BATE, LONDON, 1775, SILVER MAKER’S MARK OF JOHN KING with two-stage barrel in the Spanish taste, fitted with silver ‘spider’ fore-sight, inlaid with engraved silver foliate rondels at the median, signed on a silver scroll, inlaid with three classical urns, three ropework bands and with gold-lined proof marks at the breech, gold-lined vent (light pitting), engraved grooved tang decorated with rococo foliage and a flower, engraved stepped lock decorated with pellets around the border, signed on a scroll beneath the pan and decorated with flowers and foliage, fitted with engraved cock en suite (the pan and steel expertly replaced), and roller, figured walnut full stock carved with a scalloped rococo moulding about the tang (rubbed), take-down fore-end (repairs), inlaid with engraved silver plaques depicting a pair of hounds in pursuit of a hare in a silver wire landscape opposite the lock, full silver mounts comprising trigger-guard decorated with a rococo bouquet on the bow and with acorn finial, butt-plate engraved en suite with the lock, escutcheon with the owner’s initials enclosed by a garland, four ramrod-pipes, and original horn-tipped baleen ramrod with iron worm 136.5 cm; 53 ¾ in barrel Edward Bate is recorded at Bronlow Street, Long Acre 1763-78 and Christchurch, Brixton circa 1800. £2000-2500 264 A D.B. 20 BORE FLINTLOCK SPORTING GUN, LONDON PROOF MARKS, CIRCA 1790 reconverted from percussion, with tapering sighted barrels, engraved breeches with recesses for a lined maker’s stamp (missing), stepped locks fitted with rainproof pans and engraved cocks (extensive restorations, pans unfinished), figured walnut half stock, engraved iron mounts including trigger-guard with pineapple finial, silver barrel bolt escutcheons and vacant silver escutcheon (worn) 76.7 cm; 30 ¼ in barrels £200-300
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