Browned damascus steel barrel marked "J.V. NEEDHAM. 27 CANNON St. BIRMINGHAM." in a banner on the matted top rib, light border engraving at the breech, and a 3-leaf rear sight marked for 50, 100, and 150 yds, and single inset blade front sight. Casehardened action with island back action side locks, with blued safety catches, stylized hammers, light border and scroll engraving throughout, and sculpted shell finial on the top of the action. Blued side lever with self-cocking extensions (sets the hammers to half-cock) marked "NEEDHAM'S PATENT" with scroll engraving. Blued trigger plate and guard, both scroll engraved with the latter marked with the serial number "4888". Nicely figured checkered walnut stock with blued engraved grip cap, blank silver initial oval, sling stud with the corresponding stud attached to the lower barrel rib, and stippled black leather butt pad, with checkered forend with single screw attachment and engraved forend shoe.

Very fine as expertly refurbished with 98% of the brown finish remaining with areas of covered up pitting visible on the top rib and near the forend, with softened markings. 95% of the vibrant casehardened finish remain with softened engraving and areas of pitting on the underside, as well as the blued top lever and trigger guard. The wood is very good with some sanding, various minor handling marks, a barely visible wood repair to the grip, a repaired crack in the forend, and a couple small cracks coming off the bottom of the stock head. The grip cap has began to turn plum in color and there is a small filler at the heel. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.