This shotgun was manufactured by the Burgess Gun Company of Buffalo, New York circa 1899. Designed by famous inventor Andrew Burgess, the shotgun features a steel sleeve that fits over the stock wrist and slides rearward to activate the bolt and breech mechanism. The Burgess Gun Company was purchased by Winchester in 1899, and its products were withdrawn from the market. Production of Burgess rifles and shotguns is estimated at a few thousand pieces. Examples in fine condition are scarce. This shotgun has a Damascus barrel and high polish blue receiver. The blued steel cocking sleeve has a checkered hard rubber pistol grip. The stock and forearm are straight grain American walnut with a high polish piano finish. The forearm has nicely cut checkering and the stock has a black checkered hard rubber buttplate with a round "BURGESS/GUNCO" logo in the center. The top of the receiver is engraved: "BURGESS GUN CO./BUFFALO N.Y./U.S.A." in three lines. The serial number is hand engraved on the underside of the receiver. The top of the barrel has the Burgess patent markings in three lines.