This substantial gun dates to the mid-19th century and was sold from Westley Richards’ famous Bond Street premises during the heyday of William Bishop, the firm’s famous London agent better known as The Bishop of Bond Street. With browned Damascus barrels signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS. 170. NEW BOND ST. LONDON” on the broad concave rib which is also fitted with a brass bead front sight. Serial numbered patent breeches each with pierced platinum plug and engraved with border lines and a rococo shell on the rib section. The barrel with two ramrod pipes beneath housing a brass mounted ramrod with worm. Casehardened standing breech and bar locks each signed “WESTLEY RICHARDS”, the standing breech with shaped raised section raising the sight line. Furniture comprising casehardened trigger plate with pineapple finial, casehardened heel plate and ramrod entry pipe, and blued trigger guard. Border and scroll engraved throughout. Figured walnut half length stock with checkered grip and squared silver initial escutcheon at the wrist and silver oval barrel key escutcheons. Birmingham proof marks. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

Fine. The barrel retains most of the professionally rebrowned finish with some occasional age related storage and handling marks beneath the finish, rib signature softened. The breech is a dark grey blue color with crisp engraving. Standing breech with 98% restored casehardened finish to the upper surface, locks with 70% slightly mottled casehardened finish. Trigger guard with 75% dull reblued finish. Engraving is clear throughout. The fine stock has been refinished with occasional age related handling marks, grip checkering well defined, and repaired crack behind the right hand lock. Mechanically excellent.