Dating to the third quarter of the 19th century, with browned Damascus barrels with concave rib fitted with a bead front sight and signed “THORNTON & SONS. LONDON”. Casehardened patent breeches each engraved with a narrow band of stylized running foliage and fitted with a pierced platinum plug, the rib section engraved with scrollwork and inlaid with two gold lines. The underside of the barrels marked “STUB DAMASCUS” and with Birmingham proof marks, stamped “H. HART GUN MAKER BIRMINGHAM” and most unusually with powder and shot load data. Casehardened grooved standing breech, bar-in-wood side locks and furniture including trigger plate with large pineapple finial all with fine border and scroll engraving. The locks are each signed “THORNTON & SONS”. Well-figured walnut straight hand half-length stock with checkered grip and forearm, the wrist inset with a blank silver shield shaped initial escutcheon. Brass mounted ramrod with worm. In brass bound fitted mahogany case lined in green baize with some accessories, including Hawksley powder flask, a leather shot flask, an Eley Bros. cap tin and a key for the case.

Very fine. The barrels retain 97% strong original browned finish with crisp signature. The breeches, standing breech and locks retain 90% plus original casehardened finish with fading on the right lock. The furniture retains 40-50% original casehardened finish; the finish is stronger on the trigger plate and buttplate. The engraving remains crisp throughout. There is a patch of pitting on the trigger guard bow. Stock has an attractive figure and remains in excellent condition with the occasional scattered age related storage and handling blemish. Checkering is well-defined. Mechanically excellent. The case exterior is very good and has some and storage related wear, including some cracks. The case interior has been renovated and is in excellent condition. Accessories generally in good condition. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.