The top of the rib is marked "FREDK WILLIAMS MAKER BIRMINGHAM" and "FITTED WITH WESTLEY RICHARDS EJECTOR. C. HOWLE. R.N." The shotgun was manufactured circa the 1880s before the firm became the Birmingham Gun Works in 1890. It reverted to Frederick Williams near WWI and was a limited company from around 1937 until the company closed in 1947. It is inlaid with "EJECTOR" ahead of the break lever, and the automatic safety has an inlaid "SAFE" marking. The bottom of the barrels and the water table have Birmingham proofmarks and other small markings. The Damascus barrels have a single bead front sight at the muzzle and flourishes of English scrollwork at the breech. The forearm hardware, action, and trigger guard have nearly full coverage tight English scroll engraving as well. It is fitted with a fancy grade walnut splinter forearm and round knob pistol grip buttstock with multi-point checkering on the forearm and grip, a solid recoil pad, blank initial shield, and tear drop flats. The length of pull is 15 inches. The chokes gauge full and improved cylinder. The chambers gauge between 2 1/2 and 2 3/4 (likely 2 9/16) and have ejectors. It comes in a leather takedown case marked "C. HOWLE/R.N." on top that contains cleaning tools including a two-piece bore rod and has multiple "SUNDERLAND" railway labels on top. Engineer Lieutenant (also listed as "assistant engineer) Clifford Howle appears in English records as a member of the Royal Navy in the 1880s to early 20th century.

Fine. The barrels retain 70% plus of the rebrown finish and display attractive Damascus patterns. There are some spots of oxidation and light pitting. The break lever retains half of the original blue finish, and traces remain on the other components which primarily display a light gray patina along with some minor oxidation. The engraving patterns are crisp. The refinished wood is very good with sharp checkering, minor marks, and attractive figure. It is mechanically fine. The case and accessories are fair to fine with moderate storage wear on the case including stains, tears, and broken pieces.