A very scarce .450" Fields patent falling block sealing rifle to the famous Newfoundland sealing ship the SS NEPTUNE by Scholefield.
£4250
A very scarce .450-120-365 (.450 3 1/4” Black Powder Express) Fields patent falling block sealing rifle to the famous Newfoundland sealing ship the SS NEPTUNE by Scholefield. Field’s patent falling block action with external hammer marked to the right side SCHOLEFIELD and to the left FIELDS PATENT No1927 over 1877 with large ‘thumb’ cocking lever to the right. Well figured walnut stock with chequered wrist and fore end stamped to the right side of the stock NEPTUNE in large inverted letters. Round 27” long Birmingham proofed barrel marked for the .450 EXP-120-365 round which was the .450 X 3 ¼” BPE as also loaded by Kynoch as their SPECIAL SEALING CARTRIDGE. The top of barrel engraved SCHOLEFIELD LONDON & BIRMINGHAM to the front of the standing 100 yard rear sight with a folding leaf for 200 yards, blade foresight and sling swivels to the underside of the barrel and butt. This is one of the rifles purchased for use on the famous St John’s Newfoundland based sealing ship the SS NEPTUNE and was used with a 260 grain hollow point bullet with 110 grains of black powder (See The British falling block breach loading rifle from 1865 by J Kirton, page 205 for full details.). Neptune was a wooden sealing ship built in 1872-73 by Alexander Stephen & Sons of Dundee, Scotland. Construction of the 191 foot ship was overseen by Edward White on behalf of Job & Sons the owners. He was the Master for the next 10 years. The Neptune became known as the ‘King of the Sealers’ and continued to work in the ice until 1941. She was sold off and used to ship coal before sinking off St. Johns in March 1943 with all of her crew being saved. In good condition with a nice sharp stock with clear Neptune markings, a good well used bore and metal with fading blue finish and in good mechanical order with good lock up. A fascinating piece of history and a unique chance to buy one of the rifles actually used on the NEPTUNE in the days of the opening up of Newfoundland and the whole east cost of Canada / Northern USA.
