Maker’s records confirm this best quality rifle was completed as a hammer ejector on August 28, 1894 for Brookes Brothers & Co., a firm recorded as east India merchants with premises at 1 Whittlington Avenue, London. With browned damascus barrels respectively engraved “MADE FOR R.B. RODDA & CO.” and “7 & 8 DALHOUSIE SQUARE CALCUTTA” and each engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end. Raised partially file cut matted raised solid rib signed “ALEX.R HENRY. EDINBURGH & LONDON/MAKER TO THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES & DUKE OF EDINBURGH”, fitted with blued bead front sight with flip-up moon sight, blued rear sight of one standing and two folding leaves each with platinum inlaid center line and graduated from “50” to “150” yards, and with engraved doll’s head extension. Action with carved percussion fences and long top strap. Rebounding back action locks each signed “ALEX.R HENRY” and with safety catch in front of the hammer. Furniture comprising trigger guard and pistol grip cap. Low relief engraved throughout with scrolling grapevine against a darkened background, the fences with deeper relief carved vine ornament. The barrels and action struck with London black powder proof marks. Well figured 15 inch pistol grip stock including rubber recoil pad, raised cheekpiece, and checkered grip and forearm, the last with lever latch. The underside of the butt with large shield shaped gold escutcheon engraved with a monogram, with small sling loops. Weight 11 lbs. 14.5 oz.

Barrels with attractive damascus twist pattern and retaining 98% rebrowned finish, tube and rib engraving clear with slight softening. Action, locks and furniture all a dark grey patina with some discoloration, the high points of the decoration softened through cleaning. Stock has been expertly refinished, well defined checkering, a filled knot to the right face of the butt almost certainly from manufacture, replacement rubber recoil pad with filler wedge (replacing an original iron butt plate), and small bulge on the forearm pushing though the wood with small setting crack. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.