"MADE EXPRESSLY/FOR/J.H. CUMMINGS/BY/J. Jos SIMON, SANTA ROSA/CAL" is inscribed on the bottom of the Greener style cross bolt action. The trigger guard has a pair of ducks in a water scene. The right side of the action has a dog laying in a field scene and the left side has a dog on point in a field scene. The various components including the breech end of the barrels have tight scrollwork engraving. There is a gold inlaid band near the breech end of the textured solid rib and a low bead sight is at the muzzles. The underside of the barrels are marked "-FLUID-STEEL-KR", and a pair of English proofs are on the barrel flats. The matching serial number is on the left barrel flat, the left side of the water table, and on the lower tang. The "SAFE" marking on the upper tang is also inlaid in gold. It is mounted with a checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with fleur-de-lis style carved accents, attractive figure, and a hard rubber grip cap and checkered buttplate. Records for Cummings and Simon are not complete, but those located indicate Simon was born in Austria in 1850 and worked as a gunsmith. He is known to have lived in Chicago in the 1880s and then Santa Rosa by 1899. His shotguns all appear to be built with English style actions and imported barrels. The few known Simon guns are attractive and nicely engraved. J. H. Cummings is listed as among the attendees of the Atlantic City Hardware Convention who departed from Chicago on the Hardware Special in 1916. In 1920, he is listed as the district passenger agent for the Chicago Great Western Rail Road based in Chicago. It is likely that Simon and Cummings had a business relationship while both were in Chicago, and they may have maintained that relationship or a friendship after Simon moved west. Measurements: Chokes: modified/improved modified. Chambers: 2 3/4 inches with a shared extractor. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .710/.716 inches; minimum wall thickness .038/.040 inches; 2 inch drop at comb; 3 inch drop at heel; 13 3/4 inch length of pull.

Very good with 90% of the original blue finish and strong patches of original case colors remain. The balance has primarily a light gray patina or bright surfaces. There is some scattered minor marks and dings. The upper and lower tang have been repaired, and the barrels have been sleeved. The wood is very fine with crisp checkering and only scattered minor scratches and dings. The grip cap is mildly smoothed from handling and storage. The horn buttplate has had hand cut, coarse checkering added. The action functions excellently, and the markings and engraving patterns are crisp. This is a high quality custom shotgun and was likely cherished by Cummings.