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DAVID MCKAY BROWN
THE "CROCODILE" GUN
A MAGNIFICENT MALCOLM APPLEBY ENGRAVED 12-BORE ROUND-ACTION EJECTOR GUN, NO. 7405
27 1/2-inch barrels with 2 1/2-inch chambers about improved cylinder and 3/8 choke borings, top extension, the frame, top lever and furniture profusely engraved and carved in the most realistic style to give the appearance of the skin of a crocodile, the fences carved with the eyes, the anatomy of the beast most accurately represented across every detail of the gun, the safety catch sliding to reveal a gold serpent, signed by the engraver within the fore-end, Engraved by Malcolm Appleby 1981, retaining all of its original hardening colour, the 14 3/4-inch highly figured stock with straight hand grip, 6lb. 5oz., nitro proof, in its leather lined oak presentation case with maker's accessories
The gun was built in 1981 and remains unused. Other Malcolm Appleby commissions included "The Scottish Lace Gun", "The Woodcock Gun", "The Raven Gun" (for the Royal Armouries) and "The Pike Gun" (sold at Sotheby's Gleneagles, 1994).
"I have always had my own ideas about how a gun should be engraved, so that the engraving is in harmony with the colour and the form and the use of the gun. The concept gradually developed in my mind until the late 1970s and it was not until 1980 that I could afford to purchase guns "in the white" to engrave and so be free of the gunmakers' influences. The first to be engraved in 1981 was a sidelock by John Wilkes which was engraved with woodcock feathers. The first gun actually finished was "The Crocodile Gun", a round action by David McKay Brown, followed by "The Pike Gun", which was engraved with fish scales, and then "The Raven Gun" for the Royal Armouries. These guns form a series of surface of surface textured decoration that naturally blends with the form of the gun so that the artist's work does not dominate the total object. Careful attention to each part of the gun was taken, sometimes subtly reforming a lever to remove sharp points.
Malcolm Appleby was born in West Wickham in 1946. He trained at Beckenham School of Art, Ravensbourne College of Art, Central School of Arts and Crafts, Sir John Cass School of Art and the Royal College of Art. He started his career as an engraver in 1969, developing new techniques for silver engraving and gold fusing on to steel.
Malcolm Appleby is now the foremost gun engraver in the United Kingdom and his famous Raven Gun is housed in the Royal Armouries. His many commissions include the engraving of the orb on the Prince of Wales Coronet, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes Trophy for De Beers, the 500th anniversary silver cup for the London Assay Office and a major silver cmmn (cup and cover) for the Royal Museum of Scotland.
Malcolm Appleby made the seal for the Victoria and Albert Museum and was commissioned to make the silver centrepiece for the New Scottish Parliament. He also has examples of his work in many collections throughout the world.
Malcolm Appleby was a member and past Chariman of the Crathes, Drumoak and Durris Community Council and is founder member and Chairman of the British Art Postage Stamp Society, a member of the British Art Medal Society and Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Malcolm Appleby is a Liveryman of the Goldsmiths' Company and an honorary member of the Strathtay and Grandtully S.W.R.I. |
Sold for £40000
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| Fine Modern and Vintage Sporting Guns |
| Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland |
| 24 August 2009 |
| Commission is 25% ex. VAT. Artist's Resale Right may apply |
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