4390 ATTRACTIVE DOUBLE PERCUSSION SHOTGUN BY FORSYTH &

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,250.00 USD
Estimated at 2,500.00 - 4,000.00 USD
CO. OWNED BY A DUKE. Cal. 16 Bore .667 diameter. S# 4508. The 30" twist barrels have heavy reinforced breech section as seen on many later guns by Joseph Manton and are engraved "Forsyth & Co. No. 8 Leicester St Leicester Sq London" on raised concave rib. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with S#, proofs and barrel maker's initials "TP". Breech plugs are well filed, have matching numbers and vented platinum blowouts. Gun is number 2 of a pair with "2" engraved on rib and stamped in barrel channels. Breech iron is engraved with very well shaded scroll and a game bird. Front spring locks with flat faced serpentine hammers having dolphin heads are engraved with large open scroll and game scenes; running rabbit on left and game birds on right. Trigger plate has stylized pineapple finial. Trigger guard with dog on bow has S# on tang. Dense stump figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-3/4" over iron buttplate with dog and bird engraved long top tang. Squarish checkering is at grip and a silver shield at top of grip is engraved with a crest depicting crowned order of the garter belt surrounding arms of a phoenix emerging from a Duke's crown. Stock attaches to barrels with captive side nail through oval silver escutcheons. Ebony ramrod with brass tip and tail (worm under cap) mounts through two plain pipes and scroll engraved thimble in stylized pineapple form. MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .667. R .667. Wall thickness: L .026. R .024. STOCK: DAH: 2". DAC: 1-7/16". CAST: about 1/2" off. LOP: 14-3/4". WEIGHT: 6 lb. 12 oz. CONDITION: good as partially refinished. Barrels retaining about 85% of an old re-brown over some scattered pitting with some subsequent wear and cleaning. Engraving of name considerably softened. Locks are dark gray and smooth showing traces of case hardening color where protected. Trigger guard shows considerable pitting on bow. Stock retains what appears to be its original oil finish with a scattering of marks and dings. Checkering is lightly worn. Bores are fairly smooth toward breech ends, pitted toward muzzles. Locks are fine. A very high quality gun by a famous maker. (01-25796/MGM). ANTIQUE. $2,500-4,000.