Dating to circa 1865, this rare pinfire shotgun was retailed by the Scottish gunmaker Charles Ingram and it uses Joseph Needham’s patent no. 1544 of 1862. With browned barrels each engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end. Concave rib with bead sight and signed “CHARLES INGRAM. 100, UNION ST. GLASGOW”. Casehardened single bite action with fences incorporating external cams which push the hammers back to half cock on opening the action. Sidelocks each signed “C. INGRAM”. The whole engraved with classic British scrollwork with a differing panel game scene to each lock respectively depicting a dog flushing a partridge on the right side and a dog flushing a pheasant on the left side. The underside of the barrels and water table struck with London black powder proof marks. Figured 14 1/2 inch walnut straight hand stock including checkered butt with engraved heel and toe plates, panels of multipoint checkering to the grip and forearm, and blank silver oval initial escutcheon to the underside. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Fine. This rare hammer gun has a nicely aged patina. The barrels retain 50% older refinish, rib signature clear, some patches of discoloration from corrosion spotting. Engraving to the action and locks is crisp and clear, locks with traces of original casehardened finish. Stock with numerous age related storage and handling marks and bruises, checkering well defined. Mechanically very good.