The maker’s records confirm this Best Quality gun was completed on August 21, 1880 for Charles Gordon. Whilst Gordon is most famous for his patronage of John Dickson & Son, he also ordered firearms from Henry, Harkom and Purdey. With browned Damascus twist barrels with raised concave rib signed “ALEX.R HENRY EDINBURGH AND LONDON MAKER TO THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESS’ THE PRINCE OF WALES AND DUKE OF EDINBURGH” and with bead front sight. Casehardened patent breeches with scroll engraving and each with engraved platinum plug. Barrels struck with London proof marks. Casehardened standing breech and side locks each signed “ALEX.R HENRY” within a ribbon. Furniture including blued trigger guard and butt plate. Fine quality border and scroll engraving throughout. Well figured straight hand stock with checkered grip and forearm, underside of the butt with blank gold initial escutcheon. Brass mounted ramrod with worm. In original brass cornered fitted oak case lined in red baize, the lid with gilt red morocco leather Alexander Henry trade label, containing accessories including powder and shot flasks, four casehardened steel shot chargers and numerous other tools. A copy of the entry for this gun from the Henry records accompanies this lot.

Barrels retaining nearly all of the rebrowned finish, with some light pitting signature clear, possibly picked out. Breeches retaining 20% original casehardened finish, engraving clear. Standing breech and locks retaining 85% original casehardened finish, some fading. Furniture retaining 50% original blued finish. Engraving clear and crisp throughout. Stock with minor handling marks and a couple of deeper minor dents, crisp checkering. Case in good condition with external handling and storage marking consummate with age, minor mothing to lid lining, accessories generally in very good condition. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.