Army & Navy Cape Gun .577/.450 Martini-Henry & 12 Gauge, 30-Inch Barrels, Scroll-Engraved, 1880s British Side-by-Side
This antique Army & Navy Cape Gun combines a .577/.450 Martini-Henry rifled barrel with a 12 gauge smoothbore in a classic side-by-side format. Built in the 1880s and marked with Birmingham black-powder proofs, it features factory scroll and game-scene engraving, external rebounding hammers, and a Jones-style under-lever. Collectors will appreciate the five-leaf express sight set, walnut stock with patch-box, and matching serial number 24352 on multiple parts.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good – Shows some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Metal surfaces display a few light scratches and small handling blemishes consistent with careful field use. Engraving remains crisp, and both bores are bright with no pitting observed.
What’s Included
- Army & Navy Cape Gun chambered in .577/.450 Martini-Henry & 12 Gauge
This cape gun pairs a rifle and a shotgun barrel, giving the hunter or collector two distinct capabilities in one classic British arm. The left rifled barrel is regulated for the powerful .577/.450 Martini-Henry cartridge, while the right barrel is a 12 gauge with choke, both measuring 30 inches.
A Jones-style rotary screw-grip under-lever locks the barrels solidly to the action and allows quick opening for loading. External back-action hammers are rebounding, keeping firing pins retracted until the moment of discharge and adding a traditional aesthetic.
Factory rose-and-scroll engraving covers the locks, action, fore-end tip, and under-lever. Each lockplate shows a detailed game vignette, and the walnut butt carries a hinged patch-box engraved with a lion-and-antelope scene, underscoring the gun’s period safari heritage.
The express sighting system consists of a blade front and a rear unit with one standing and four folding leaves, enabling precise elevation settings from close range to extended distances. Sling-swivel eyes and a 14.5-inch length of pull support comfortable carry and shooting in the field.