Cased .380 Revolver by James Erskine

When James Erskine established his business at 61 Victoria Street in Newton Stewart is unknown, but it was probably prior to 1860.

He married his wife – Grace - in Newton Stewart in 1854, when he would have been 38 so I think it is safe to conclude that he was ‘in business’ at the time and capable of supporting a family... See extract below.

Erskine, James - M4/12/1854 - At Penninghame House Gardens, on the 4^th instant, by the Rev. Mr. Richardson, Mr. James Erskine Gunmaker, Newton-Stewart, to Grace, eldest daughter of Mr. Sinclair, gardener, Penninghame House.

Erskine was most famous for the cartridge loading machine he patented (No. 868) in 1866. It is believed that James Erskine & Co made their own cases well into the 1890s. This device was capable of loading up to 100 shotgun shells at one time, and met with a much success – examples turning up all over the world.

James Erskine Patent Cartridge Loading Machine. SN 2133. Dimensions : 11» x 14-3/4 » l x 5-3/4 ». A hard wood box with spaces for 100 shotgun shells and a hinged lid with three different sets of holes for loading different components. The marking on the top tray is “POWDER.1/2.BR” on the left side “75” in the middle and “SHOT.1/4.OZ” on the right. There is an additional tray for 100 cartridges that only has the number “75” in the middle. It is marked on a shield on front “PATENT/J. ERSKINE & Co./NEWTON STEWART.

Erskine entered at least one breech loading gun of which he was the patentee in the Field Gun Trials of 1866 and received “the highest award” for superior construction.

At some time, probably soon after 1866, he was appointed Gun Maker to an Austrian Prince and to the Duke of Saxe-Coburg.

Which Austrian prince is difficult to say – the only clues are the date range and the partial remnants of the name on the Trade label. It looks like a T – but could be an F or E… As far as I can ascertain NO Austrian Princes ever had Christian names beginning with T – Franz or Ernst possibly – but then the date range is wrong – only Prince Rudolf seems to fit into the right time frame.

If any history buff, expert in the complexities of the Austrian Royal Family can help me with this I would love to know – it’s been driving me nuts…

The Duke of Saxe-Coburg is easier: this would have been Ernst II (the older brother of Prince Albert the husband of Queen Victoria) who was succeeded in 1893 by his nephew Prince Alfred of Great Britain – also Duke of Edinburgh. One has to remember that the Price Consort - Queen Victoria’s beloved Albert was in fact Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg until his death in 1861...

James Erskine and Co opened a shop in London at 27 Finsbury Pavement, but it was only recorded there in 1869.

When the business closed is unknown, but it may have traded up to 1914.

For sale here today we have a very nice example of a cased and engraved early .380 Rimfire revolverwhich means that it is entirely legal to own in the UK as long as it is held as a curiosity or ornament. It is crisply marked ‘JAMES ERSKINE NEWTON STEWART’ on the top strap, and is nicely engraved overall. See Pics.

Like most gunsmiths, Erskine would have only made a few of the items he sold, most would have been purchased in a raw state from the London or Birmingham gun trade and then ‘finished’ before being sold to the public. In the case of this revolver we are talking Birmingham - as it is covered in their proof marks.

The style is classically British, reminiscent of Tranter and Adams – and is clearly made from parts that were originally conceived for the percussion system, although this revolver was made for Rimfire ammunition and is not a conversion. I would date it from the late 1860’s – possibly into the ‘70’s.

An identical , although un-engraved gun is shown in the excellent ‘The Revolver ‘ by A. W. F. Taylerson as being retailed by Messrs. DEANE & SON , of London Bridge – the actual maker possibly being the Birmingham firms of Tipping & Lawden, Prylse & Redman or Calisher & Terry.

The action is very good – fully functioning half cock, single and double action. Indexing correctly on each cylinder and locking up well in battery. The cartridge ejection system – clearly derived from the side mounted percussion rammers – is also fully functional. The cylinder bores are clean, exhibiting only minor pitting – as does the barrel which retains strong clear rifling. See Pics.

The only other light pitting is on the face of the cylinder; the rest of the gun is smooth and clean in polished steel and fire blue finish with virtually all of the engraving remaining crisp and clear. It also has excellent chequered walnut grips showing only minor handing wear.

It is contained in its cased green baize lined box –probably original to the gun but certainly to the period and this type of arm, and fitted for this particular revolver; and containing a good copy trade label. The pattern of marking and wear indicate that they have been together for a long long time… The box retains its original working lock and key, and is in solid and sound condition. The exterior looks to me to have been sanded smooth to remove the scratches and blemishes it would have gathered over the years – a decent job - but I personally would prefer the original ‘battered’ look. Internally I think it retains its original green baize interior, showing signs of repair in places, but all sound and solid. See Pics.

The boxed set comes with a number of accessories as show; I think the cleaning rod and the pewter Dixon oil bottle are original – the rest items of varying age collected over the years.

I have added the .380 – totally inert – cases shown n the pictures, they are not Rimfire but fit the chamber perfectly to demonstrate the action and to serve as ‘snap caps’

Really delightful set.

As always – no reserve.

Any questions gladly answered.

Please add £15 for P&P Inc insurance.