The makers have kindly confirmed that this pair of guns were ordered on May 1, 1858 by a Martin Ridley Smith Esq.re with 2 ft. 6 1/2 (31 1/2 inch) barrels and individual cases with leather outers. With browned Damascus barrels numbered “1” and signed “THOMAS BOSS. 73 ST. JAMES’S STREET. LONDON” on the concave sighed rib. Patent breeches each with platinum plug and short inlaid platinum line, the rib section engraved with scrollwork. Scroll engraved standing breech and border and scroll engraved bar-in-wood locks each signed “THOMAS BOSS”. Border and scroll engraved iron furniture including trigger plate and ramrod entry pipe each with elongated pineapple finial, the trigger guard and heel plate each numbered “1”. Well figured half length stock with checkered grip and forearm, the forearm barrel channels stamped with the serial number, the underside of the butt with blank silver oval initial escutcheon. Brass mounted wooden ramrod. London proof marks. In original lined and fitted brass cornered oak case, the lid with printed Thomas Boss trade label stating “Many Years with the Late / JOSEPH MANTON”, with some accessories including Bartram & Co. leather wrapped powder flask and Sykes leather shot flask. The lid with circular brass escutcheon engraved with the monogram “M.R.S.” in “old English” as per the notes in the Boss records.

See “A”. The rib, heel plate and trigger guard are numbered “2”, the barrels have been incorrectly re-engraved “T. BOSS. 41. ALBERMARLE STREET. PICCADILLY. LONDON.” With unmarked shot flask, funnel, and nipple wrench. The vendor informs us that the pair had been split for many years before being reunited in 2012. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection