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.

WW - WOOD IS WORSE FOR THE PERCENT FINISH RATING GIVEN

This unusual shotgun features “one-piece” Whitworth patent barrels (patent no. 1645 of June 12, 1857, “The invention also relates to double-barrelled guns, and consists in cutting both barrels out of the solid from a single piece of metal.”). The combination of pre-1875 London black powder proof marks and the fact that Joseph Whitworth & Co. was formed in 1874 lead us to be able to date this gun to 1874 or early 1875 before the introduction of the “Not For Ball” proof marking. With browned steel barrels with no rib, front sight mounted on a small block between the muzzles, and signed on the left tube “JOSEPH WHITWORTH & CO./MANCHESTER”. Action with serpentine fences, sprung cocking indicators, non-rebounding back action locks each signed “EDWARD PATON & SON” and with later casehardened hammer. The water table stamped “EDWARD PATON”. The trigger guard engraved with the serial number “2612” (the action and barrels are each stamped “2672” indicating an error by the engraver). Border and scroll engraved throughout. Figured 14 3/8" stock with checkered grip and forearm, and blank silver oval initial escutcheon. For a detailed discussion on this gun, please see Diggory Hadoke’s online article “From a Single Billet” available on The Vintage Gun Journal (www.vintageguns.co.uk), June 2020. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection