37 CHARING CROSS, LONDON, CIRCA 1840

with browned twist octagonal sighted barrels (minor rust patination) each signed along the top flat and struck with London proof marks, border engraved case-hardened breeches engraved with foliate scrolls and each with threaded blued plug, tangs each with back-sight, back-action locks, dolphin hammers, side-plates and ovoidal butt-caps all en suite, the last with hinged circular butt-trap cover engraved with a flower-head, chequered figured rounded butts, blued border engraved trigger-guards each decorated with scrolling foliage, silver escutcheons each engraved with owner’s initials, blued belt hooks, case-hardened under-ribs, stirrup ramrods each engraved with a flower-head on the tip, and in fine condition retaining virtually all their finish: in original lined and fitted copper alloy mounted mahogany case with full accessories including three-way powder-flask (cut-off spring missing) retaining most of its lacquered finish, the interior of the lid with maker’s trade label, the exterior with shaped copper alloy escutcheon engraved with owner’s initials and incorporation a flush-fitting carrying handle, 15.0 cm barrels

Henry Tatham is recorded as a Gunmaker & Sword Cutler at 37 Charing Cross, between 1834 and 1860, the year of his death.

Gunmaking has flourished in London for some five hundred years and was firmly established by Royal Charter in 1637 with the founding of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers. The two lots offered here represent the high standards and quality of workmanship attained in London during the mid-19th century. Both sets have survived in remarkable condition, a key factor to the collector of all sorts of items relating to the applied arts. Both lots are antique and can be owned as curiosities or ornaments according to the legislation (Antique Firearms Regulation 2021).