Manufactured in circa 1897, this very rare hammer ejector features blued barrels each engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end and a flat rib signed “GEORGE GIBBS. 39 CORN STREET BRISTOL. BARRELS SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH’S FLUID PRESSED STEEL” with a bead front sight, bouquet and scrollwork engraving towards the breech, and “2” inlaid in gold. The casehardened action has carved percussion fences and is also numbered “2” in gold inlay. The casehardened sidelocks are signed “GEORGE GIBBS” with rebounding hammers. It has a casehardened trigger plate, blued sidelever, blued trigger guard, casehardened grip cap, and casehardened heel and toe plates. It is finely and profusely decorated with classic English bouquet and scroll engraving. The underside of the barrels and water table are struck with Birmingham nitro proof and nitro reproof marks. The well-figured walnut pistol grip stock has carved drop points and panels of multipoint checkering to the grip and forearm, and the latter has a blued Anson push button release. The underside of the butt has a blank gold oval initial escutcheon. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): chambers proved at 70 mm (2 3/4 inches); bore diameter 9 inches from the breech both reproved at 18.6 mm and measured .735/.734 inches; choke constriction .008/.012 inches; minimum wall thickness .025/.025 inches; 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 2 1/4 inch drop at heel; 15 5/16 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 7 lbs 4 oz. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Fine as expertly refinished. The barrels retain near 100% reblued finish with softened engraved decoration to the rib. The action, locks, and furniture retain nearly 100% of their renewed finishes, and the engraving is clear throughout. The left lock mainspring is a little weaker than the right lock mainspring; otherwise, it is mechanically excellent. It was expertly restocked and has sharp checkering, beautiful figure, and minimal light marks. Hammer ejector shotguns are highly sought-after, and this is certainly a very attractive example.