^Lot 2253 FINE CONDITION WATSON BROTHERS TIP-DOWN ROOK RIFLE

WITH ALLIGATOR PATTERN OAK AND LEATHER CASE AND FACTORY LETTER. Cal. 297/250 Rook. S# 19663. The 26" steel barrel has octagonal breech, combined rear sight base/loop and front sight base turned integral. Top is engraved "Watson Bros 29 Old Bond Street. London." behind one standing, two folding nested leaf express rear sight. Bottom of barrel is stamped with Birmingham proof and caliber. Webley S# is on loop. Case hardened side lever tip-down boxlock hammer ejector action is engraved with well cut sprays of scroll. Watson S# is on trigger guard bow. Steel capped pistol grip buttstock is made of a truly fine piece of beautifully marbled and slightly stump figured flesh tone Circassian walnut and measures 14-1/2" over checkered wood butt. Point pattern checkering is at grip and a vacant silver oval is on toeline. Matching small splinter forend with horn tip has spring tension release. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: rifle is housed in interesting good quality oak and alligator patterned leather case with brass corners; lined in purple felt. Case has zippered canvas and leather outer cover. A reproduction Watson label is in lid. Case contains: glass oil bottle, rosewood vaseline jar, tin with patches and some targets. Also included a factory letter w/envelop dated June 17, 2022 from Watson Bros. CONDITION: very fine. Barrel retaining about 90% original blue with high edge wear and a rub from cleaning on left side with light pitting remaining. Action retains most of its original case hardening color, browned and thinned around bottom and shows cleaning on left side. Stocks retain most of their oil finish with some light marks. Bore is fair with deep pits toward breech end; good rifling toward muzzle. Mechanically good with ejectors strong. Case is very fine "near new" as is outer cover with some rubs. Label is lightly foxed. PROVENANCE: From the Buckstix Collection. (01-28616/MGM). ANTIQUE. $3,500-5,500.