Original British Tranter Patent Single Shot .22 Rimfire Target Pistol by H. Egg of London with Holster in Custom Wood Case Original Items

Original Items: One of a Kind Set. This is a fantastic mid 19th Century .22 rimfire single shot target pistol by Henry Egg, complete with a lovely period leather holster, both contained in a lovely period custom wooden case. This measures approximately 14 3/4″L x 5 1/2″W x 1 7/8″, and is lined on the inside with red and burgundy felt. There is one compartment for the pistol, and another for the holster.

The pistol itself is lovely, a “tip up” design unlocked from the bottom, which even has an automatic ejector actuated by opening the breech. This would have made a lovely target pistol, taking advantage of the interest in match shooting that began in the 1860s. It is in very good condition, and has a clear makers mark on the top of the barrel:

H. EGG, No1 PICCADILLY, LONDON.

Henry Egg (1815-1869) was a member of the famous Egg family of gunsmiths from Switzerland, the most notable of which was Durs Egg, his Great Uncle. Henry’s father was Joseph Egg, and they succeeded Joseph Manton & Son in the gun trade. Per BRITISH GUNMAKERS by Nigel Brown, he looks to have operated at 1 Piccadilly 1841-1850 with his father, and under his own name 1851-1869, which is when this pistol was made. It was designed based on a patent by William Tranter, as indicated on the left side of the frame:

W. TRANTER
PATENT
52867

It measures 10 1/2″ in overall length with a 7 3/8″ part octagonal barrel in .22 rimfire, though we do not know if it is for “short” or “long rifle”. The design is relatively simple, made for one specific purpose: match shooting. It looks like the frame was originally case hardened, while the barrel and left side plate were blued. The hammer, trigger, and latch for the breech look to be bright steel, and overall the pistol really looks great, with a nice lightly worn finish.

The bottom of the barrel is marked 1 & 230, as well as with the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC “proof” and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V “viewed” marks from the English city of Birmingham. There is an additional Birmingham proof mark on the right side of the frame, which shows a bit of light engraving in areas.

Condition is very good, with the original finish well retained. The grips are in great shape, with lovely checkering. The action opens correctly, and the hammer has a proper half cock position for opening the breech. We did not notice any mechanical deficiencies with cycling. We did check the bore, and it does look to have seen a good amount of use, as the rifling is worn, with areas of past fouling and oxidation.

The included holster fits the pistol well, though we do suspect that it was originally for a different type of pistol, and then modified. It is in lovely matured condition, with a few repairs to the flap.

A fantastic mid 19th century British Target pistol set by a member of the legendary Egg family of gunsmiths, ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1860
Caliber: .22
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 7 3/8 inches
Overall Length: 10 1/2 inches
Action: Single
Feed System: Single Shot Tip uP

NOTE: This gun is NOT considered obsolete calibre, so we are not able to ship to the United Kingdom. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country’s antique gun laws prior to ordering.