Manufactured circa 1885. This is an extraordinary example of a Perrins & Son Big Bore Double rifle. Damascus barrels with a solid rib fitted with a blade front sight and two leaf (one fixed, one folding) rear sight with 50 and 100 yard markings. There is a sling swivel eye mounted on the underside of the barrels. The rib is matted with a dolls head extension and a panel behind the rear sight marked "PERRINS & SON 59 BROAD ST WORCESTER". The flats are marked with Birmingham proofs. The locks, receiver, hammers, trigger guard, forearm hardware and under lever are nicely decorated with fine English scroll engraving and each lock is marked "PERRINS & SON". The water table is marked with two Birmingham proofmarks. The barrels are brown, the trigger guard is blue and the remaining metal parts are casehardened. Mounted with a nicely figured English multi-point checkered walnut splinter forearm with a horn forend insert and pistol grip stock with teardrop flats, horn grip cap, solid recoil pad, silver initial oval and sling swivel eye. Measurements - Bore Diameter at Muzzle: .875 inch, Wall Thickness: .184 at 9 inches from breech, Chamber Length: 4 inches, Length of Pull: 14 1/4 inches, Drop at Comb: 1 3/4 inches, Drop at Heel: 2 1/4 inches, Cast: neutral, Toe: neutral, Overall Weight: 12 pounds 12 ounces. The rifle comes in a leather and oak case with brass corner protectors, leather straps and handle and green felt lining. In the case are two snap caps, 4 brass 8 bore casings, one lead 8 bore bullet and a 577 nitro brass casing. Also comes with a canvas cover for the case. John Perrins established his business as a Master Gunmaker in Worcester in 1831. In 1855 the business became Perrins & Son when his eldest son John joined him as a partner. As the company grew, they moved to larger premises and while at the company's Mealcheapen Street location in 1862 John Perrins died and was followed by his son John 4 years later. Another son, Henry, took over and expanded the business in the golden years of English gunmaking from 1866 on and in 1879 moved to the prestigious premises at 59 Broad Street in Worcester.