Made in circa 1864 by James Beattie, a sometimes underrated London gunmaker. With browned damascus barrels each engraved with a band of stylised foliage with spray of scrollwork at the breech end, single extractor and 2 5/8 inch chambers. Concave rib with bead sight, signed “J. BEATTIE. 205. REGENT STREET. LONDON.” and engraved with a spray of foliage at the breech end. Casehardened rounded action with serpentine fences and non-rebounding back action locks each signed “J. BEATTIE”, and blued trigger guard. With fine classic English border and scroll engraving throughout, the locks and trigger guard each with panel game scene involving pheasants on the left lock and hunting dogs on the right lock and trigger guard bow. Well figured 14 1/2 inch walnut straight hand stock with checkered grip and forearm, steel heel plate and horn forearm tip. The underside of the butt with small blank silver oval initial escutcheon. Original London black powder proof marks. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Very good. The barrels retaining 90% older rebrowned finish, rib signature and engraved details clear, tubes thin. Action and locks each with traces of original casehardened finish, crisp engraving throughout, hammers reblued. Steel heel plate discolored, some corrosion marking, engraving softened. Trigger guard retaining 60% original blued finish. Stock with very attractive figure pattern, numerous scattered age related storage and handling marks and bruises, checkering generally well defined. Mechanically very good.