William Nixon is recorded in Birmingham from 1845 until 1853 at 9 Duddeston Row. This gun dates to circa 1850 and has browned Damascus twist barrels with raised concave rib signed “W.M. NIXON. MAKER. 369” and with bead front sight. Casehardened patent breeches with fine engraved border line and inlaid with two gold lines and engraved with pheasant on the rib between. The barrels struck with Birmingham proof marks. Casehardened border and scroll engraved standing breech and bar in wood locks, the latter also engraved with differing game scenes and each signed “NIXON MAKER”. Casehardened trigger plate, blued trigger guard engraved with a tiger on the trigger bow, and blued butt plate. Well figured pistol grip stock carved with a lion mask on the base of the grip, checkered grip and forearm, and inset with a silver escutcheon engraved with a crest on the wrist. Iron and brass mounted ramrod with worm. In original brass cornered mahogany fitted case lined in tooled pigskin, the lid with printed William Millington Nixon trade label, with some accessories including Hawksley powder flask and a shot flask. The exterior of the lid with circular brass escutcheon engraved “LT. COLONEL MACDUFF”.

Barrels retaining 98% original browned finish, signature crisp. Breeches retaining 25% original casehardened finish to the underside, the remainder faded, engraving crisp. Locks and standing breech with crisp, retaining 70% faded original casehardened finish. The trigger guard with crisp engraving and retaining 65% original blued finish. Trigger plate with 50% original casehardened finish in sheltered areas. Buttplate worn bright on the face, tang with 30% original blued finish. Stock with minor handling marks, checkering good, carved lion mask well detailed and with little signs of wear. Case in good condition, some exterior handling marks, lid with some cracks along the grain, interior lining with some staining, label stained and rubbed. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.