The maker’s records confirm that this gun was made for the renowned Scottish eccentric Charles Gordon and completed on December 10, 1888. With blacked barrels each engraved with a decorative band at the breech end and with concave rib signed “JOHN DICKSON & SON. EDINBURGH”, fitted with a bead front sight and engraved with a spray of scrollwork at the breech end. Casehardened action with carved percussion fences and back action rebounding locks each signed “JOHN DICKSON & SON”. Action, locks and furniture each with fine border and scroll engraving. Action and barrels struck with Birmingham nitro reproof marks. Figured straight hand stock with checkered grip and forearm, the underside of the butt with blank silver initial escutcheon. In brass cornered oak fitted case lined in dark green baize, the lid with gilt lettered John Dickson & Son name plaque and smaller gilt lettered label named “Charles Gordon Esq.”. A full suite of accessories including reloading tools, chamber brush, turnscrews and dark horn snap block. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Barrels retaining nearly all of the reblacked finish, engraving clear but slightly softened. Action and locks retaining 20% original faded casehardened finish. Engraving clear but slightly softened throughout. Trigger guard retaining 95% reblued finish. Stock refinished, occasional minor handling blemish, checkering sharp. Case associated, lining recent, accessories a mixture of period and more modern items, generally in very good condition.