Manufactured in circa 1845 by the famous Smith brothers, regarded by many as being one of the best London gunmakers of the period. With browned Damascus barrels with concave rib fitted with a bead front sight and signed “SAML. & C. SMITH. PRINCES STREET LEICESTER SQUARE. LONDON”. Casehardened patent breeches each engraved with a narrow band of beadwork and fitted with a platinum plug, the rib section engraved with a further narrow band of beadwork and engraved “SMITH’S PATENT” within a platinum inlaid border. The underside of the barrels with London proof marks. Casehardened standing breech and side locks, the former with a short shallow sighting groove, the latter each signed “SAML. & C. SMITH PRINCES ST. LONDON” and with hammer with screw retained detached nose for Smith’s patent “Imperial” caps. Furniture including casehardened trigger plate with foliate finial and blued square backed trigger guard. Best quality border and scroll engraving throughout. Figured walnut half length straight hand stock with checkered grip, the wrist inset with blank silver rectangular initial escutcheon. Brass mounted ramrod with worm. In oak fitted case lined in green baize, the lid with large Samuel & Charles Smith printed trade label detailing their “Imperial” caps, with some accessories including “balloon” powder flask and leather shot flask embossed with pheasants and a hunting dog. The exterior of the lid with large brass escutcheon incorporating the flush fitting carrying handle engraved with "HH."

Fine. The barrels retaining 95% older rebrowned finish with clear signature. The breeches retaining 30% original faded casehardened finish, engraving crisp, percussion pillars exchanged for the original “Imperial” cap pillars. The standing breech and locks each with 30% original faded casehardened finish, engraving clear. The trigger guard retains 40% original blued finish with clear engraving. The remaining furniture retains traces of original finish, the remainder of the surfaces a grey slightly discolored patina. The stock has scattered minor age related storage and handling marks with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case exterior is very good with mild wear. The case interior has been renovated and is in excellent condition. Some age wear to the accessories. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.