Manufactured in circa 1925, this rifle features blued barrels respectively signed “WATSON BROs.” and “29. OLD BOND STREET. LONDON” towards the breech. Each barrel is engraved with a band of beadwork at the breech end. The matted sunken concave rib has a ramp mounted bead front sight, matted quarter rib with express sight of one standing notch sight and four folding leaves each with platinum inlaid center line and graduated to 500 yards, and a doll’s head extension. The casehardened action has removable firing pin bushings, a blued toplever, matted upper surface, an automatic safety with gold inlaid “SAFE”, a blued floorplate signed “WATSON BROS.," a casehardened trigger plate, and a blued trigger guard. The whole is finely engraved in low relief with foliate scrollwork. The underside of the barrels and water table are struck with Birmingham nitro proof marks. Import marks are on the bottom of the rib under the forearm. The figured walnut pistol grip stock has panels of multipoint checkering to the grip and forearm, and the latter has an Anson push button release. It also has blued heel and toe plates, a dark horn pistol grip cap, and casehardened forearm iron. The underside of the butt has a blued sling eye, and the corresponding sling eye is fitted beneath the barrel. The case has leather borders, straps, and handle, a Watson Bros. trade label inside the lid, and green baize lining. 14 3/8 inch length of pull. Weight 9 lbs. 11 oz. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Fine. The barrels retain nearly all of the reblued finish and have softened signatures. Crisp, well-detailed engraving is on the action and furniture. The floorplate, toplever, and trigger guard retain nearly all of the reblued finish. Traces of original casehardened finish are on the water table and trigger plate. The stock has been refinished and has some scattered age related storage and handling marks throughout and well-defined checkering. The heel and toe plates each retain nearly all of the reblued finish and have softened engraving. Mechanically excellent. The relined case has minor wear on the interior, some staining on the label, and fading and staining on the exterior.