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LOT 3408
Rare Scottish Engraved James MacNaughton 28 Bore “The Edinburgh” Double Barrel Hammerless Round-Action Shotgun -
Serial no. 1244, 28 gauge, 24 inch solid rib bbl., brown/blue finish, walnut stock. This rare shotgun was built using MacNaughton’s patent (No.
2848 of July 12, 1879) which introduced the famous trigger plate round action to Scottish gunmaking. The presence of “Not For Ball” proof marks helps date the present
gun to circa 1885, and the water table is struck with the patent use
number “147.” The short barrels are typical of 28 bore MacNaughton
guns of this period. The browned Damascus barrels are each engraved with
a band of stylized foliage at the breech end and share a single extractor, and the
LOT 3407
Factory Engraved John Dickson & Son Best Round Body Action Double Barrel Ejector Shotgun with Case - Serial no. 4360, 12 gauge, 29 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Brown Damascus steel barrels with single bead sight on the matted, concave solid rib which is marked “JOHN DICKSON & SON. 63 PRINCES STREET. EDINBURGH” and “1” and shows some light engraving at the breech end, single bands at either breech, chambers measured at 2 3/4 inches with ejectors, and faint period London proofs on the flats. The casehardened, famous John Dickson & Son round body action displays near full coverage tight floral scroll engraving with “JOHN DICKSON & SON” in banners on either side. The gun features double triggers, gold plated cocking indicators, and a tang mounted automatic safety with gold inlaid “SAFE”. Attractive, highly figured, checkered splinter forend with engraved fittings including the Anson button release and silver inlaid “1” and straight grip stock with blank inscription oval and checkered bare butt. The hammerless action with ejectors, gauge, and the barrel length are confirmed on page 261 of Donald Dallas’ book “John Dickson & Son: The Round Action Gunmaker” when the gun was sold on August 7th, 1890. Includes a green canvas bound takedown case with John Dickson & Son trade label inside the lid. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter 9 inches from the breech both proved at “12” (.729 inches) and both measured at .737 inches; choke constriction .010/.021 inches; minimum wall thickness .021/.022 inches; 1 3/8 inch drop at comb; 2 1/4 inch drop at heel; 14 3/8 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs 4 oz. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 80% plus original brown finish with some areas of grey patina, the case colors have faded to an attractive silver color, and mild handling evidence. The wood is also very fine with a few minor blemishes and sharp recut checkering. The case is very good with mild storage wear. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 9,500 - 15,000
concave rib is signed “JAMES MACNAUGHTON. EDINBURGH” and has a bead front sight and a spray of scrollwork engraved at the breech end. The blued lever cocking action has slender fences respectively signed “MACNAUGHTON” and “EDINBURGH”, long skeletal toplever, automatic lever type safety catch, and top strap with crystal cocking inspection window. The long trigger plate is engraved with the serial number and is fitted with a trigger guard. The watertable is marked “THE EDINBURGH”. There is border and scroll engraving throughout. The underside of the barrels and water table struck with London proof and Birmingham nitro reproof marks. The figured walnut straight hand stock has panels of multipoint checkering on the grip and forearm. The forearm has a dark horn tip. The underside of the butt has a blank silver round initial escutcheon. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): chambers proved at 2 1/2 inches; bore diameter 9 inches from the breech both reproved at .596 inches and measured at .600/.603 inches; choke constriction .038/.041 inches; minimum wall thickness .028/.023 inches; 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 1/4 inch drop at heel; 14 7/16 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 4 lbs 11 oz. CONDITION: Very good. The barrels of this rare early round action retain 95% rebrowned finish with loss of finish at the muzzles and breeches and a clear rib signature. The action and trigger guard have clear engraving and each retain traces of original finish. The wood is very good and has numerous age related storage and handling marks and bruises, well-defined checkering, and an old small chip to left edge of the forearm. Mechanically very good. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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