Pritchett & Son: a .577 percussion sporting rifle, serial number 2044, browned twist barrel 23.5

Pritchett & Son: a .577 percussion sporting rifle, serial number 2044, browned twist barrel 23.5 in., part-round with top flat inscribed 'PRITCHETT & SON 7 POULTRY LONDON', short standing back sight and a ladder sight graduated to 1,000 yards, polygonal rifling, London proof, scroll engraved hooked breech with platinum blow-out plug, shell and acanthus engraved tang, lock plate inscribed 'PRITCHETT & SON', chequered walnut half stock with steel furniture, lock and furniture all richly engraved with acanthus scrolls, brass tipped wooden ram rod with concealed worm. Section 58(2) - no licence required if possessed as a curiosity or ornament.

The George Geear Collection

Richard Ellis Pritchett and Robert Taylor Pritchett traded as Pritchett & Son from 1853 and their name became associated with the original bullet employed in the Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket after the younger Pritchett helped William Ellis Metford in its development. Refs. Blackmore, 'Gunmakers of London'; Brett Gibbons, 'The English Cartridge'.