The maker’s records confirm that this gun was completed on September 1, 1884 for Charles Gordon. Gordon’s order was for the present 12 bore gun and a near identical 10 bore gun, serial no. 3887, to form a pair. The case that accompanies this gun is fitted for the present 12 bore gun and has compartments for the slightly larger but now sadly missing 10 bore gun. With browned Damascus twist barrels with concave rib signed “JOHN DICKSON & SON. 63. PRINCES STREET. EDINBURGH” and with bead front sight. Casehardened patent breeches finely engraved with a roped border and scrollwork, and each with pierced engraved platinum plug. Struck with London black powder proof marks. Casehardened standing breech, back action locks each signed “JOHN DICKSON & SON” and with “antediluvian” hammer with blued detachable nose. Furniture including casehardened trigger plate and blued trigger guard and butt plate. Fine border and scroll engraving throughout. Figured straight hand half stock with checkered grip and forearm, underside of the butt with blank silver initial escutcheon. Brass mounted ramrod with worm. In original brass bound oak fitted two tier case for the pair of guns lined in green baize, the lid with John Dickson & Son printed trade label. The base close fitted for the stocks and actions, the lift out tray for the barrels and many associated accessories including two powder flasks and two shot flasks.

Very good with barrels retaining 98% original browned finish, signature sharp. Patent breeches retaining 95% original casehardened finish, sharp engraving. Standing breech, locks and trigger plate retaining 95% original casehardened finish with some fading to handled areas. Trigger guard and butt plate retaining 40% original blued finish, butt plate face turning to plum. Engraving crisp throughout. Stock with crisp checkering, some general handling marks, underside of butt with deeper dents around the escutcheon, and some slight chipping on the forend. Case generally in good condition, light storage marks to the outside, lining with some marking, accessories mostly period items rather than the original pieces. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.