Lonsdales Auctioneers is a new specialist firearms auctioneer that has just opened its doors, and its inaugural sale is due to be held on 9th November 2023 at 11am.
Based in the heart of North Lancashire, ex-Army officer John Tamlin set up Lonsdale’s Auctioneers after he saw a gap in the market for a specialist auction house who deal in modern and antique guns in the North of England. The location of Lonsdales is convenient for northern sellers who wish to maximise the value of an item without worrying about the cost or risk of shipping to auction houses in the south.
A broad team of specialists advise on some of the more interesting consignments and John Tamlin and his team at Lonsdales Auctioneers have a good relationship with all the major makers assisting with the confirmation of provenance.
With a minimum of three sales a year, Lonsdales Auctioneers offer smaller sales maximising values.
In its first auction Lonsdales have consignments of leading makers including James Purdey & Sons, Holland and Holland and J. Woodward & Son along with a good selection from Scottish makers including John Dickson and Sons, and Greys of Inverness.
There are a number of interesting guns up for auction on 9th November so picking the Hot Lots you’ll see below was no easy feat:
Lot 19 – Grey & Co, Inverness 20 Bore Boxlock Ejector
This 20 bore boxlock ejector has 2.5 inch chambers, and nitro barrels with 1/4 and 1/2 chokes. Engraving on this gun consists of ‘GREY & Co, UNION ST, INVERNESS’ on the rib and simple border engraving on the action. There is a small area of light pitting to the breech of the left barrel however the chequering is crisp throughout the forend, grip, and butt. The stock has a 1 5/8 inch extension which brings the length-of-pull to 14 7/8 inches.
Estimate: £250 – £300
Lot 29 – J. & W. Tolley 8 Bore Rotary-Underlever Hammergun
The nitro reproofed barrels on this 8 bore Jones patent rotary underlever shotgun have a broad rib on which ‘J. & W. TOLLEY. CONDUIT ST. BOND ST. LONDON.’ is engraved, although it is now slightly worn. The rebounding back-action peninsula locks have a border engraving – there is light pitting, but the fences and body have been polished to a bright finish. The chambers are 3 1/4 inch long, and the length-of-pull is 14 5/8 inches. The gun weighs 11lb 4oz.
Estimate: £1,800 – £2,200
Lot 80 – Fine 12 Bore Purdey Sidelock Ejector
Originally part of a matched trio of lightweight hammerless ejector game guns, this gun was completed in September 1937 for His Grace The Duke of Norfolk, evidence of which is present by a gold ‘N’ surmounted by a coronet inlaid in place of the oval. The 30 inch Whitworth Steel chopper-lump barrels have a sunken game rib engraved with ‘J. Purdey & Sons, Audley House, South Audley Street, London. Made of Sir Joseph Whitworths Fluid Pressed Steel’.
The well-figured stock has an extension bringing the total length-of-pull to 14 9/16 inches. The chokes are tight cylinder and modified, and the chambers are 2 1/2 inches in length.
Estimate: £5,000 – £6,000
Lot 99 – John Dickson & Son Round-Action 12 Bore
Made in 1895, this side-by-side shotgun’s richly coloured and highly figured stock has fine patina and the chequering on the butt and grip has softened (as you would expect). The barrels are replacements, and have Improved and 1/4 chokes. There are cocking indicator studs, an automatic safety and very fine acanthus scroll engraving throughout. The fences are engraved with a leafed thistle.
Estimate: £3,000 – £5,000
Lot 101 – J. Woodward & Son Sidelock Ejector
New life has been breathed into this gun with a sympathetic restoration of the action with colour case hardening throughout, replacement 28 inch nitro-proofed barrels (with 1/4 and 1/2 chokes, and 2 3/4 inch chambers), and a highly figured, replacement stock. The automatic safety has ‘SAFE’ inlaid in gold, the castellated fences are embellished with ammonite scroll engraving, and the locks are edged with fine engraving with acanthus scroll surrounding a cartouche of ‘J. WOODWARD & SONS’. The gun weighs 6lb 13oz and comes in a leather and brass case.
Estimate: £5,000 – £7,000
Lot 121 – Weatherby Custom Mark V .416 Weatherby Magnum
This Weatherby Custom Mark V is chambered in .416 Weatherby Magnum and may not have seen any use. The grip and forend on the highly figured walnut stock are carved in foliate relief with inlay and end caps on each. The rifle comes with a muzzle brake and a Leupold VARI-X III 1.5 – 5 scope with Buehler mounts.
Estimate: £1,200 – £1,400
