Believed to have come from the legendary armoury of the Nizam of Hyderabad, this astonishing Scottish big bore ball gun is signed by Thomas Kennedy, a gunmaker from Kilmarnock. With substantial browned octagonal to round two-stage damascus barrel inlaid with two gold bands at the muzzle, a small crescent blade front sight, and signed in gold “Thos. Kennedy Kilmarnock RIFLE MAKER TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT” and inlaid with three gold inlaid stars and a gold inlaid line. The underside of the barrel with Birmingham proof marks. Casehardened breech engraved with vignettes of a stag on the top flat and an eagle beneath the percussion pillar. The barrel fitted with an under-rib bearing two ramrod pipes housing the original brass mounted ramrod. Casehardened standing breech and side lock, the former profusely engraved with scrollwork, the latter with border and scroll engraving, a vignette involving two deer and signed “T. KENNEDY” in gold. Casehardened trigger plate with ornate finial, blued trigger guard and blued buttplate. The trigger guard and buttplate each engraved with further scrollwork, the buttplate engraved with the name of the original owner “Captn. Mullins”. The trigger guard bow engraved with deer. Large straight grain walnut half-length stock with checkered grip and horn forearm cap. In brass cornered fitted mahogany case lined in dark green baize with accessories, including brass William Davis “WD” marked “No.4” ball mold, wad cutter and iron “T” shaped combination tool. Weight 13 lbs. 12 oz. Provenance: The Midmar Castle Collection of Fine Arms and Armour, Lyon & Turnbull, Edinburgh, April 21, 2010, lot 47; Malcolm King Collection.