Manufactured in 1901 per the chart on page 107 of Nigel Brown's "British Gunmakers Volume One: London". Blued steel barrels with a single steel bead sight on the smooth solid rib which is marked "WILLIAM EVANS. 63, PALL MALL. St. JAMES'S. LONDON.", London nitro proofs, light engraving near the breech, and 2 1/2 inch chambers with automatic ejectors. The bright polished sidelock action displays beautiful floral scroll engraving with "WILLIAM EVANS." banners on either side. The engraving extends to the tangs, toplever, and triggerguard. The gun features double triggers, bushed firing pins, and a tang mounted automatic safety switch. Attractively figured, multi-point checkered splinter forend with engraved fittings, including the Anson button release and straight grip stock with teardrop carved flats, blank silver inscription oval, and thick horn buttplate. Includes a non-matching Sauer takedown case. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proved at 12 (.729 inches) and measured .740/.738 inches; choke constriction .006/.019 inches; minimum wall thickness .025/.029 inches; 1 1/4 inch drop at comb; 2 1/4 inch drop at heel; 14 1/8 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 6 lbs. 9 oz.
Very fine, retaining 98% professionally reapplied blue finish on the barrels with a few slight dings, scratches and a few areas of minor spotting, slight loss of definition to the engraving and markings, the action maintains its attractive bright polish with some tiny spots of yellowing. The wood is also very fine with scattered light dings and scratches and overall sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
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