Restored George Gibbs Farquharson Action Sporting Rifle

48 bore proof (nominally .44 / 11mm). 28" barrel length. SN: 11783. Blued barrel with the finish worn to silver over the frame mounting refinished English walnut semi-pistol grip stock and forend with bordered checkering and mounting horn forend cap, semi pistol grip cap, and butt. Single shot falling block Farquharson patent rifle featuring dual extractors, and a safety lever and catch to the right frame. Sights consist of a two-position rear notch regulated for 100 and 200 yards, and a front bead sight. Forend and butt fitted with sling studs. The frame is richly engraved with English style rose and scroll engraving with floral bouquets to each flank, the left one enclosing the maker marking GEORGE GIBBS/BRISTOL. Upper right frame is engraved FARQUHARSON'S/PATENT/405. The barrel markings read METFORD'S PATENT, 1202 followed by the address GEORGE GIBBS, 29, CORN STREET, BRISTOL. The left barrel and rear breechblock display antique Birmingham firing proof marks with the former enclosing a 48 bore caliber marking. The rifle has no further caliber markings, and may require a chamber cast to accurately ascertain the cartridge for which it was built. Stock shows rounded edges indicative of sanding with a refinish that covers the oval plate. Checkering was recut, and does not match the quality encountered on original George Gibbs produced arms. The forend appears to mount an original escutcheon for the mounting screw, but the mounting stud itself is a replaced example of modern manufacture, with the inletting in the forend altered to match. Forend additionally inletted for mounting the sling stud. {ANTIQUE}

From the Collection of Jeffrey W. Sanner

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Very Good as Restored. Bore is Bright with crisp rifling throughout. The manufacturer marks and engraving show some weakness overall, indicating polishing and refinish. Blued barrel refinish is thinning with some muzzle wear, scattered streaking, and scratches. Frame finish is buffed bright overall with some extant case colors to forward frame below the handguard. Stock has been heavily sanded, refinished, and the checkering recut, and shows scattered handling dents. Buttplate exhibits some flaking, with chipping to the left flank corresponding to some chipping in wood.

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October 17, 20, 21, or by appointment. Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Mr. Tim Carey

Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria

[email protected]513.666.4984

Mr. Carey joined Cowan’s, a Freeman's company, in 2021 and is a 40-year veteran of the sporting arms and outdoor recreation industry. Carey joined Cowan’s from Griffin & Howe at Hudson Farms in Andover, N.J., where he was responsible for the acquisition, appraisal, and consignment of top-tier firearms consignments from important makers such as James Purdey & Sons of London, Beretta, Caesar Guerini, B. Rizzini, Bertuzzi, Renato Telo, and Anderson Wheeler.

Mr. Tim Prince

Senior Consulting Specialist, Arms, Armor & Militaria

[email protected]312 280 1212

Tim Prince has more than 30-years of experience in the field of antique and collectible arms and is a nationally recognized expert in the area of Civil War small arms. A long-time researcher and author, Tim has been a contributing author to two major books about Civil War firearms, including The English Connection: Arms, Material and Support Furnished to the Confederate States of America by Great Britain (2014) and Confederate Shotguns and Southern Agent Marked Shotguns (2017). He was also a major contributor to the recently updated Blue Book of Antique American Firearms & Values – 2nd Edition (2019) as well as the 2010 updates to the Civil War Collector's Price Guide - 12th edition. Over the last decade Tim has authored more than 50 articles on 19th century collectible and military arms, which have been published in such varied publications as Civil War News, North-South Trader, and Military Antique Collector. Since 2016 has appeared as a featured appraiser in the field of Arms & Militaria on the popular PBS television series Antiques Roadshow. He is a member of the American Society of Arms Collectors and currently serves on the board of directors of that organization. He is also a member of and formerly served on the board of directors of the Society of American Bayonet Collectors. Tim is a life member of the Ohio Valley Military Society, the Tennessee Military Collectors Association, the Alabama Military Collectors Association, is a member of the Company of Military Historians and is a member of numerous other colleting groups and societies. He is the owner of College Hill Arsenal, a web based antique and collectible arms retail web site, specializing in the American Civil War and related military items. Tim has engaged in the business of buying, selling, researching, and appraising antique and collectible arms and associated military items for some three decades. Since 2016 he has also served as a senior Consulting Specialist in the field of Arms, Armor & Militaria for Cowan’s Auctions, a Freeman's Company.

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Restored George Gibbs Farquharson Action Sporting Rifle

From the Collection of Jeffrey W. Sanner

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Arms, Armor and Militaria

Restored George Gibbs Farquharson Action Sporting Rifle

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