serial #20204 (APUN #972), .280 Flanged, 28" lightweight barrel with a bright excellent bore. This wonderful British sporting rifle was ordered by J. Hamilton Leigh in November of 1909 and was finished and delivered in August 1910. The rifle features full coverage tight English scroll engraving on action with left side engraved in open panel "GEORGE GIBBS / BRISTOL & LONDON". The barrel is engraved "GEORGE GIBBS. BRISTOL. / & 35 SAVILLE ROW. LONDON N.W." and bears proper proofs. The condition of the rifle is completely honest and quite lovely. The action retains 95% original color case-hardened finish which remains quite vivid. The barrel retains about 20% original blue which has thinned evenly and has an overall smooth gray brown patina. The checkered pistol grip buttstock and forend are of nicely figured English walnut and rate excellent with about 90% plus original oil finish remaining and with good strong checkering. The rifle is equipped with its original automatic safety with the word "SAFE" inlaid in gold on top tang. The left side of the butt has a padded leather cheekpiece, very similar to those sometimes found on 18th century French flintlock fowlers. Jonathan Kirton, noted expert on Gibbs rifles, surmises that this pad was likely added to the rifle in 1911 during Leigh's trip to East Africa, possibly by a craftsman in Mombasa, as rifle #20027, also owned by Leigh and taken on this trip features the same type of pad. Kirton has travelled to this part of Africa and has noticed other guns with these unusual cheek pads. The rifle comes cased in its original canvas covered trunk style case with brass reinforced corners. The case includes the original leather pouch which contains the original spare main spring, link and firing pin. A turned bone container with threaded cover contains two extra front sights and several screws. Both the leather pouch and bone container are original and numbered to the rifle in ink. Also included is an oiler, brass cleaning rod and an ebony handled turnscrew. J. Hamilton Leigh was born at Stockport, England in 1867 to well-to-do parents. He served with two Scottish Highland regiments and served as Vice President of the National Rifle Association of Great Britain. The rifle comes with the original owner's personal copies of Stonehenge's "The Modern Sportman's Gun and Rifle" Vols. 1 & 2 published in 1884. This rifle was the subject of articles by Jonathan Kirton which appeared in, and graced the covers of, the April, 2007 issue of "Gun Report" as well as Vol. XIII Issue 2 of "Classic Arms & Militaria" of Britain. A fabulous British sporting rifle with interesting history. (3591-1) {C&R} (15,000/25,000)
SOLD FOR $17,250.00
