A Fine Cased Cape Rifle in Mint Condition by Joseph Bourne.
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46 ½” overall with 29 ½” double barrels in .500, 2 grooved rifle and 14 bore shotgun. Fine quality Damascus barrels with London proofs, numbered ‘3187’ and ‘14’ on the shot barrel and ‘39’ on the rifle barrel underneath. Broad top rib with matt engraving and engraved ‘Joseph Bourne Maker London No.3187’. With a parade of six removable ‘Africa’ folding sights, with platinum lines. Flat top rib with 20” rule. Highly figured walnut half stock with side action finely scroll engraved locks with ‘Joseph Bourne’ engraved within a ribbon. Chequered at wrist and fore-end. Large patchbox engraved with scrolls and a lion (patch box is to keep the removable sights safe). Trigger guard engraved with running deer. Double ended brass tipped wooden ramrod. Contained in its original brass mounted oak case with lifting handle, with matching pair of black leather powder flask and shot flask, bullet mould, nipple key and cap tin.
Circa 1850
Rifle in mint condition and looks to be unfired, very good figure to the Damascus barrels. Mint bores with original internal polish. Highly figured curly walnut stock with all polish. Shot flask seam split. Case corners a little loose as this is a very heavy rifle.
Joseph Bourne 1849-1866 and Son 1867-1950. Traded in Birmingham from 5 Whittall Street 1849-1879 and 9 St Marys Row 1885-1900, Then in 1912 he occupied 100/101 Bath Street, until the 1950's when the business ceased. Although working in Birmingham he marked his guns ‘London’, had a large export business to South Africa, and specialised in fine Cape Rifles. Some guns marked by Appointment to Prince Albert.