Built in circa 1891, with browned damascus barrels each engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end and with concave rib fitted with a bead front sight, signed “JOSEPH HARKOM & SON. 30 GEORGE STREET. EDINBURGH”, engraved with a spray of scrollwork at the breech end and numbered “1”. Casehardened patent breeches each with pierced platinum plug, profusely engraved with scrollwork and with blued percussion nipple. Barrels struck with London black powder proof marks. Casehardened standing breech and back action locks each signed “J. HARKOM & SON”. Furniture including casehardened trigger plate, and blued trigger guard and heel plate. Fine border and scroll engraving throughout with the locks, bow of the trigger guard and tang of butt plate engraved with fine vignettes of game birds. Well-figured straight hand half-stock with checkered grip, the underside of the butt with blank silver oval initial escutcheon. Brass mounted ramrod with worm.

Extremely fine. As with so many guns made for Charles Gordon, these guns remain in unfired condition with the only condition blemishes being attributable to age and storage. The barrels have crisp engraving with near 100% original casehardened finish to the breeches. The barrel retains 95% of its original browned finish with some flaking and minor blemishes most noticeably around the breech end and some scattered minor storage marking. The locks, standing breeches and furniture respectively retaining near 100% original casehardened and blued finish with the exception of the buttplate which each have slight storage wear from the case lining resulting in retention of 98% original blued finish. Stocks with scattered storage and handling marks, checkering factory fresh. Mechanically excellent.

As with “A”. The rib numbered “2”. In original brass bound oak two tier case lined in dark green baize with near full suite of close fitted accessories, the stocks and actions housed in the lower level and the barrels and most small accessories housed in the lift out tray. The accessories include two leather covered brass topped powder flasks and two Hawksley leather shot flasks each with casehardened top. Please see Donald Dallas, “Charles Gordon, Magnificent Madness”, pp. 82-85 where this pair of guns is described, discussed and illustrated. Provenance: The Charles Gordon Collection; The Malcolm King Collection

As with “A” with the barrels retaining 98% of their original browned finish with scattered minor flaking and some scattered minor storage marking. Mechanically excellent. Exterior of case with age related storage and handling marks, the interior in virtually factory fresh original condition with the accessories appearing to be in unused condition.