A CASED PERCUSSION RIFLE OR SPORTING GUN BY J D DOUGALL OF L...

Hammer

£2,600

A CASED PERCUSSION RIFLE OR SPORTING GUN BY J D DOUGALL OF LONDON.
A double barrelled big game rifle with conversion barrels to create a shotgun in original case. The two sets of barrels damascus with brown finish, 75cm in length, both engraved to the top 'J.D. Dougall Maker, 39 St James's Street, London, and with various proof marks and numbers. One pair rifled for big ball with sights for 300,200,150 yds on the top rib. The rifled barrels with bore of approximately 5/8" numbered 20 and 2059. The action with high spur hammers with ornately engraved steel fittings, the side plate engraved 'J.D. Dougall', numbered behind the trigger guard '673', a small inset escutcheon beneath the stock engraved 'AG 11th July 1851', with finely cross hatched stock. The fitted case with original label to the lid 'J.D.Dougall. Inventor & Patentee of the Lockfast Breech loading Gun and Rifle. 59 St James Street. Piccadilly. London.SW.' With cleaning rod, powder and shot flasks.
James Dalziel Dougall Snr (1818-91) is not recorded as having opened his London Shop until 1864, it is possible that the AG and date could be other than the date of its manufacture. Though percussion action was still strong around this time. It seems that a shop had been open in Glasgow since 1760, his son opening J D Dougall Gunmakers at Argyle Arcade in Glasgow in 1841. His son James born in 1849 also became a Gunmaker. They died within five years of each other in 1891 & 96 respectively. Another son John was meanwhile running the Scottish Branch in number 23, Gordon Street, Glasgow. Their guns which used the lockfast patent action, were used by many shooters at this date, later they could add 'Gun and Rifle Manufacturers to the Prince of Wales (King Edward VII) among other Royal family members to their title. J D Dougall Jnr was the first chairman of the Armourers Club later The Gun Trade Association.