These fine guns by the company that invented the percussion cap ignition system are very rare survivors. They are listed as manufactured c. 1849 for Sir Matthew White Ridley, Fourth Baronet (1807-1877) in "Forsyth & Co.: Patent Gunmakers" by Neal and Back which also confirms the configuration and illustrates the guns in plates 52 and 53. Ridley was a Conservative, High Sheriff of Northumberland for 1841, and Member of Parliament for Northumberland North in 1859-1868. With browned damascus barrels with concave rib fitted with a bead front sight and signed “FORSYTH & CO. No. 8 LEICESTER ST.T LEICESTER SQR. LONDON”. The bottom marked "TP" for barrel maker Thomas Parkin. Casehardened patent breeches each engraved with two narrow decorative bands and with pierced platinum plug, the rib section engraved with further decorative bands en suite and with a spray of scrollwork. The underside of the barrels with London proof marks. Standing breech with short shallow groove and long tang inlaid with a silver roundel engraved with “M.W.R.” For Sir Matthew White Ridley, Fourth Baronet (1807-1877). Rounded back action locks each signed “FORSYTH & CO. PATENT”. Furniture including blued trigger guard and buttplate. The whole finely engraved with scrollwork interspersed with scenes of game birds. Figured walnut half-length stock with checkered grip and forearm. Brass mounted ramrod with worm.

Very fine. The barrels retain 96% rebrowned finish with slightly softened signature. Breeches retain 20% faded original casehardened finish, mostly visible on the underside. Trigger guard retains 85% original deep blued finish, the buttplate 70% original deep blued finish. Engraving is crisp and clear throughout. Stock is fine and has age related storage and handling marks throughout and has some old minor loss to the wood on the edges of the forearm in front of the standing breech. There is a patch of rubbed wear in the checkering on the right side of the grip. Mechanically excellent.

See “A”. Together with a brass cornered mahogany fitted case lined in green baize for one gun, the lid with printed trade label for Forsyth & Co., with “Patent” brass mounted copper powder flask and key for the case. Provenance: Formerly part of the Famous W. Keith Neal Collection. The guns are listed on p. 79 of "Forsyth & Co: Patent Gunmakers" by W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back (1st Edition, 1969) and illustrated on plates 52 and 53.

Very fine. The barrels retain 90% plus rebrowned finish with light softening of part of the signature. Breeches retain 20% original casehardened finish concentrated on the bottoms. Trigger guard retains 75% plus original blue, and the buttplate has 50% remaining. Engraving is crisp throughout. Stock is fine and has some worn areas in the otherwise distinct checkering, minor dings, and slight loss at the edges at the breech. Mechanically excellent. The case interior has been renovated and is in excellent condition. The trade label has some light age staining. The case exterior is very good with mild storage wear and some cracks in the sides. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.