John William Edge was a gunmaker in Manchester from 1827 until 1864. The Damascus barrels have a concave rib signed "JOHN WILLIAM EDGE" and fitted with a bead front sight, and each barrel is marked with London proof marks. The casehardened patent breeches have pierced platinum plugs, and the rib divider is engraved with a pheasant. The island with stepped tail locks are signed "J.W. EDGE". Aside from the browned barrels and the vacant silver oval wrist escutcheon, the gun is casehardened and features scroll engraving along with a variety of bird scenes, and a snake and bird are also featured on the hammers. The well-figured stock has checkering to the forearm and wrist. The original brass mounted ramrod is serial numbered to the gun. The original mahogany case has a J.W. Edge trade label inside the lid, green baize lining, cap tin "MADE EXPRESSLY FOR/J.W. EDGE" with wads inside, Fabrique Gevelot cap box, brush, cleaning rod attachments, leather shot and powder flasks, nipple wrench with nipple pick, second ramrod serial numbered to the gun, and a note indicating the gun was purchased on November 22, 1959, from a Mr. Chaliat of Rue Biron, Marche aux Puce, Paris. Provenance: Chaliat of Rue Biron, The Norman R. Blank Collection

Very fine with 85% plus original brown finish, 75% plus original case colors with some fading, small spots of oxidation staining, and generally minimal overall wear. Aside from some small chips at the edges of the forearm, the stock shows and old revarnish with crisp checkering and faint handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case and accessories are good.