Of the enormous number of firearms ordered from the renowned Edinburgh gun-making firm of John Dickson & Son by Charles Gordon, only four were 4 bores, and of those four giant guns, this magnificent example is the only single barrel. The maker’s records note that this 4 bore “Duck Gun” was completed on January 7, 1893, with a 36 inch barrel. Gordon purchased no less than twenty-six guns, rifles and pistols in 1893 making this his most prolific buying year and accounting for around a quarter of Dickson’s total annual production. With tapering round Damascus barrel with bead front sight, short raised sighting flat at the breech end signed “JOHN DICKSON & SON. 63, PRINCES STREET, EDINBURGH” and engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end. Casehardened action with carved percussion fence and arcaded standing breech, non-rebounding back action lock signed “JOHN DICKSON & SON”, underlever with checkered finial, and mounts comprising trigger plate, trigger guard and pistol grip cap, the butt plate blued. Engraved throughout with fine scrollwork, that on the action, lock and buttplate tang framing fine panel scenes of upland and water fowl. The underside of the barrel and action flats are struck with London black powder proof marks and the maker’s mark “JD&S”. Finely figured 14 1/2 inch walnut pistol grip stock with checkered panels to the pistol grip. The forearm is uncheckered, with key fastener and has a large polished dark horn cap. The underside of the butt is inset with a blank silver oval initial escutcheon. Weight 13 lbs. 13.8 oz. Please see Donald Dallas, “Charles Gordon – Magnificent Madness”, p. 34. Provenance: Charles Gordon and The Malcolm King Collection

Very fine. Barrel retaining 90% original browned finish. The hard edges around the breech have some rubbing to the finish, there are some light scratches and handling marks throughout. Crisp signature. Action and lock with 60% original casehardened finish, colors bright in sheltered areas, faded on main surfaces. Engraving crisp with naive water fowl. Trigger guard and grip cap retaining some original casehardened finish, the buttplate with traces of original blued finish, main face turning brown and with pitting. Stock with handling marks, nice figured wood, grip with well defined checkering, forearm wood not checkered. Mechanically excellent.