OE - GOOD - some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal legible; lightly scratched, bruised or minor cracks repaired; in good working order.

NPRF - NON-PROFESSIONALLY REFINISHED/COLD BLUE, ETC.

The maker’s records confirm this gun was completed in 1882 and incorporates Horatio Philips' (a future ‘Gun Editor’ at The Field magazine) patent for a lever cocking trigger plate action shotgun mechanism (Patent No. 4809). With browned twist barrels each engraved with narrow decorative band at the breech end, with narrow concave rib with bead front sight, numbered “4” and signed “STEPHEN GRANT. 67A ST. JAMES’S STREET. LONDON”, and engraved with a foliate motif at the breech end. The underside of the barrels and water table with original London black powder “Not For Ball” proof marks and London nitro reproof marks. Casehardened action signed “STEPHEN GRANT” on each side of the rounded body and engraved “PATENT” on top of the standing breech, with automatic safety with gold inlaid “SAFE”. Furniture including engraved trigger guard and heel and toe plates. Border and scroll engraved throughout. Well-figured straight hand stock with checkered grip, butt and forearm, the latter with Anson push button release. The underside of the butt with blank silver oval initial escutcheon. (Right/Left): reproved at 18.5mm/18.5mm, measuring 18.5mm/18.5mm, 2 3/4 inch (70mm) chambers, minimum wall thickness 0.029/0.031. Weight 6 lbs. 11 oz. In brass cornered oak and leather fitted case lined in red baize, the lid with Stephen Grant trade label and loading data for this gun. The exterior of the case with remains of old luggage labels, initialed “A.M./ARMY & NAVY CLUB/LONDON”. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Barrels retaining 98% rebrowned finish, rib signature clear. Action with slight traces of original casehardened finish in sheltered areas, engraving clear, signatures slightly softened. Engraving on trigger guard clear, surface a dull grey patina. Left trigger stiff. Engraving on heel and toe plates worn. Stock refinishes, some scattered occasional minor storage and handling marks. Mechanically very good. Case generally in good condition, lower lip of lid restored, straps replaced. Some age staining and wear to lining and labels.