Lot 2042

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Description:

Charles Osborne 12-bore boxlock ejector shotgun Barrel length: 30"; Chambers: 2 3/4"; Chokes: R 21 L 42; Material: steel; Rib: game; Locks: boxlock; Operating lever: top-lever; Stock Length:14 1/4"; Grip type: Straight; Weight: 6lb 10oz. SN 62780.

This is a good quality boxlock ejector with new nitro re-proof for 70mm (2 3/4") cartridges and is in good overall condition. The nicely figured, oil-finished straight-hand stock has a vacant silver oval and thin horn buttplate. The rib has become partially detached and requires re-laying.

Other Notes: The firm of Charles Osborne (b.1799) was established in 1838 at 1 Litchfield Street, Birmingham, later moving several times, as was common in the Birmingham gun quarter. Osborne was a successful and astute man and in 1858 was made Guardian of the Birmingham Proof House. He continued the firm until his death in 1871 at the age of 72.

Records are patchy for this period but it is known that Osborne supplied both London and provincial makers (Holland & Holland being one) with shotguns and rifles. The business appears to have traded also as a partnership (although it was only recorded as such in 1884). The partners were Charles Osborne Jr., Charles Francis Ellis and E. W. Wilkinson. Confusingly, these partners seem to have traded under their own names at the same time.

Following the style of many successful Birmingham gunmakers, Osborne opened a shop in London, at 3 Broad Street Buildings, Broad Street around 1879. In 1884 the firm was granted patent No. 8402 for a drop-down barrel action and in 1885 the shop moved to 7 Whitehall Place and other locations were opened in Edinburgh and Glasgow. These closed before WW1.

In the period between 1879 and 1909, the Osbourne partners patented a good number of improvements to firearms but in 1928 the London shop closed, and in 1929 the company was bought by Skimin & Wood. No guns were produced under the company's name after 1928.

Osborne's were prolific manufacturers of guns, rifles and pistols for the South African and Indian markets; their range of large bore big game rifles, particularly double rifles, was one of the widest available. Charles Osborne was a major manufacturer (and one of the largest trade manufacturers) of sporting guns and rifles. Osborne had the capacity to make guns and rifles of all qualities and produced many of the guns sold by other makers as their own work; such was the nature of the gun trade in the Victorian era.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Other, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

CHARLTON HALL DOES NOT SHIP: Charlton Hall will be pleased to provide a list of shippers and packers that will our worldwide base of clients has successfully used, or you can have your own shipper handle your purchases. Please contact the shipper of your choice to arrange for packing and pick up your items. Your items will be released as soon as payment cleans our bank. We requests that your shippers schedule pick up times at least 24 hours in advance, this will insure no delays in pick up, and release of your purchases.

December 13, 2008 10:00 AM EST
Columbia, SC, US

Charlton Hall

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Bid Increments
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$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $200
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 + $5,000