Lot 3004: Late 18th/early 19th century Wallis of Hull muzzle-loading air rifle
SOLD: £1,800
This item caused a buzz amongst firearm enthusiasts and collectors ahead of the auction and there were a number of commission bids on the rifle before the sale began.
The unusual and very rare firearm was crafted by the famous 18th century Yorkshire gunsmith, George Wallis, one of the most renowned gunmakers in the country in the late 18th century. It was one of the first firearms capable of firing multiple shots, something that had been challenging Europe’s finest gunsmiths for over a century.
There are very few examples of the gun around. Wilberforce House Museum in Hull has one on exhibition, which was originally part of Wallis’s own collection, and Burton Constable Hall in East Yorkshire has another, made by Wallis for William Constable, owner of the Hall in the late 18th century – but this was the first we’ve ever seen in one of our militaria auctions.
Opening the bidding at £750, the price quickly reached £1,800 at which point the hammer went down and this fabulous piece was sold to an online buyer from the London region.
Other historic highlights included a 1758 Brown Bess flintlock musket, which sold for £1,400, an 18th century coaching carbine, selling for £1,100 and a fine Browning 12-bore double barrel over and under sporting gun, which went for £900.
If you have something you’d like to sell at our next Militaria, Weapons & Sporting Guns sale, get in touch now to see what your items could be worth.