A Fine Mint .451 Percussion Match Rifle by Hammond Bros of Winchester. 52” overall, 36” heavy round barrel with Henry rifling, the top flat signed 'Hammond Bros Patentees &Manufactures Winchester' a signed ‘Rex Holbrook’ dove tailed tunnel fore sight with spirit level & interchangeable elements, the breech block with engraved scrolls, platinum plug, fully scroll engraved top tang, the wrist fitted with original vernier adjustable ladder peep sight engraved ‘Hammond Brothers Winchester’. Number ‘2241’ & London Proofs on underside. Scroll engraved lock signed ‘Hammond Bros’. The rounded fully scroll engraved hammer with dolphin head & sliding safety to the front. Figured walnut half stock, chequered full pistol grip with horn cap, horn butt plate, scroll engraved trigger guard tang, checkered fore end, moulded horn fore end tip, no provision for ramrod.
A very fine, near unfired, rifle by a fine provincial maker in near mint condition with an unmarked bore.
Number 2241 circa 1880.
Isaac Hammond, 26 High Street,1829 moving twice within the town; finally trading from premises in Jewry Street until 1867. Henry & Edwin Hammond, Isaac’s sons, continued trading under their own names, changing the style to Hammond Bros in 1878 and remaining there as a business until 1970, though the company was bought by Patstone & Cox in 1931,