OC - FINE- all original parts; over 30% original finish, sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; minor marks in wood.

PRF - PROFESSIONALLY REFINISHED OR RESTORED

William Needler established his firm in the Yorkshire city of Hull in around 1845 and moved to the Silver Street address in 1850 where the firm continued until his death in 1886. The business continued under his son, William S. Needler until 1895 when it was acquired by W.W. Greener who already had premises in Hull. Firearms by this maker are extremely scarce and it displays many of the flourishes of detail associated with guns made by craftsmen of the “northern school” of British gunmakers. With browned damascus twist barrels each engraved with a band of stylized running foliage at the breech ends and with concave rib signed “W. NEEDLER. SILVER ST. HULL”, bead front sight and engraved with a spray of foliage at the breech end. Action with carved percussion fences and rebounding sidelocks each signed “WM. NEEDLER”. The action, locks and furniture with border and scroll engraving throughout. Action and barrels struck with Birmingham proof and London nitro reproof marks. Well figured straight hand stock with checkered grip and forearm, the underside of the stock with blank silver initial escutcheon and the forearm with dark horn tip. The butt checkered and fitted with heel and toe plates engraved en suite with the rest of the gun. In brass cornered leather fitted case with oil bottle named “W. NEEDLER HULL”, the lid with printed William Needler trade label. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.