The makers have kindly confirmed that this fine over and under shotgun was completed on October 5, 1932 for Abbas Bey, the last Khedive of Egypt and Sudan. He reigned from 1892 until 1914 when he sided with the Ottoman Empire against the British and was deposed. He died in Switzerland in 1944. The maker's records note that this gun was originally completed as a single trigger (now converted to double trigger) with two sets of 26 1/2 inch Vickers Steel barrels. With blued barrels, the upper barrel signed “JAMES WOODWARD & SONS. 64 ST. JAMES’S STREET, LONDON. ENGLAND.” and with solid file cut matted rib with bead front sight. The barrel flat is struck with London nitro proof marks for the lower barrel, proof marks for the upper barrel are struck on the right side of the upper tube, and an import mark is on the lower barrel beneath the forearm. Casehardened action signed “WOODWARD’S UNDER & OVER” on the underside and with blued hold open toplever and automatic safety with gold inlaid “SAFE”. Casehardened locks each signed “J. WOODWARD & SONS.” and with cocking indicator, casehardened trigger plate and blued rolled edge trigger guard. With fine bouquet and scroll engraving throughout. Well figured straight hand stock with leather wrapped recoil pad, fine multipoint checkered grip and forearm, the latter with Anson push button release, and carved drop points. With an additional set of blued 30 inch barrels struck with London proof marks for 2006 and engraved “JAMES WOODWARD & SONS. 64 ST. JAMES’S STREET, LONDON. ENGLAND”. With oak-lined leather case lined in burgundy baize, fitted for the gun and both barrels, the lid with reproduction James Woodward & Sons trade label. Barrel measurements for the 30 inch barrel set (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proved at 18.6mm (.732 inches) and both measured at .731 inches; 70 mm (2 3/4 inch) chambers; choke constriction .018/.028; minimum wall thickness .030/.028 inches. Barrel and stock measurements for the 26 1/2 inch set (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech proved at 12 (.729 inches) and measured .737/.735 inches; 65 (2 1/2 inch) chambers; choke constriction .013/.014 inches; minimum wall thickness .016/.019 inches; 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 2 1/16 inch drop at heel; 15 1/4 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 13 oz. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Very good as partially refinished. The barrels retain near 100% reblued finish with softened signature. Action retains 20% original casehardened finish with clear engraving, locks retaining 80% original casehardened finish with crisp engraving, the toplever and trigger guard each with near 100% reblued finish. Attractive stock with well defined checkering, some scattered age related storage and handling marks and blemishes throughout. Mechanically very good. The extra 30 inch barrels are in very good condition with little signs of use, apparently of much more recent manufacture although almost certainly with spurious signature. Mechanically excellent. Case of recent manufacture and in good condition.