Usually, when people say something is fit for a king, they just mean that it is nice enough to be used by royalty. In this case, however, we’ve got something that was actually fit for a king. King Alfonso XIII of Spain to be exact.
In the November Collectors Elite Auctions, there’s a single-shot rifle that was made by Thomas Bland & Sons for the Spanish king in 1904. Chambered in .360 BPE (Black Powder Express) with a 24-inch barrel, Bland made the gun to the king’s specifications and it’s a beast of a piece weighing in at just over 8 pounds.
As one would expect of a gun fit for royalty, the King Alfonso XIII falling block rifle is truly a functional piece of art. Stocked in beautifully figured wood with a black horn forend cap, the falling block action is completely covered in scroll and floral engraving. It is also highlighted by color case hardening. The rifle is sighted with a beaded blade in the front and express rear sights graduated for 100, 200 and 300 yards. However, to really stretch things out, there’s a folding graduated ladder sight that goes all the way out to 800 yards. Platinum sight lines on each also offer a subtle touch of elegance.
To ensure that no one mistakes who made this exquisite rifle, the gun has the firm’s name on it in three locations. You’ll find “Thomas Bland & Sons” on the top of the barrel and “T. Bland & Sons” on each side of the action.
So who was Thomas Bland? Thomas Bland, Sr. started working as a gunsmith in 1862. Thomas Bland, Jr. joined him in 1872 and the firm’s name officially changed to “Thomas Bland & Sons.” They built their reputation on waterfowling shotguns capable of great range and powerful, big-bore hunting rifles. The gun in the November Collection is an exceptional example of the latter.
As the 19th century came to a close and the 20th dawned, the firm had gained tremendous popularity. They were well known for making guns for European royalty. They also produced firearms for wider British Empire rulers in Africa and India. That’s why it made perfect sense for Alfonso XIII to commission one in 1904. Coincidentally, he turned 18 that year, so perhaps this rifle was a birthday present to himself.
Born in 1886, Alfonso León Fernando María Jaime Isidro Pascual Antonio de Borbón y Habsburgo-Lorena became king immediately upon birth. This is because his father had died while his mother was pregnant. Alfonso was an avid shooter and hunter. There’s no doubt that this gun served him well on many hunts and range trips over the years.
The right side of the buttstock bears two old inventory labels, both in Spanish. One translates to “National Heritage Artistic Treasure.” That’s a beaming testament to the historically important of this rifle. The company offering the gun in the November Collection is only the third party to own it in 120 years.
It’s not often that the opportunity to own something that was made for royalty comes along. You could, however, be the next member of this exclusive club. This is if you place the winning bid on Spanish King Alfonso XIII’s single shot falling block rifle made by Thomas Bland & Sons.
King Alfonso XIII Falling Block Rifle
