Beschreibung:

About .65 caliber. 30" octagonal twist steel barrel length. SN: 1109. Single shot percussion shotgun with fixed notch and blade sights, and a 1-grooved. Browned metal finish with gold and silver inlays. Curled maple stock has skip-line checkering to straight grip and a cheek rest to left side. Engravings include sunburst, bead, and floral borders to upper tang, leading to a palm leaf tail. Lockplate has basic sunburst and floral engravings around cock. Heel of buttplate also has simple floral scroll engravings. Triggerguard has engraved vignette of sheet music scene, as well as a sunburst and scroll. Markings include "+++W * SMITH * LONDON+++" in gold lettering to top of barrel. Lockplate is marked "WILLIAM SMITH/LISLE ST. LONDON" to center. Breech has a gold inlay that reads "W. SMITH/LONDON" and has top and bottom borders that appear to be silver or platinum. Item features a fish head hammer, double set triggers, octagonal escutcheon to wrist, and a square back serpentine triggerguard. Item does not appear to have been converted from flintlock. According to Blackmore's Dictionary of London Gunmakers 1350-1850, William Smith was the appointed Gunmaker-in-Ordinary to Prince Regent in 1817; George IV in 1820; Tsar Alexander I, Emperor of Russia; and Maximillian I Joseph, King of Bavaria. He apprenticed under John Joyner starting in 1766, and was later turned over to William Shepherd in 1771, eventually establishing his own shop around 1792. Condition: Fine. Bore is frosty and rifling is good. Wood to metal fit is good. Finish has thinned in spots to barrel overall, with clusters of darkened discoloration, light pitting, and a grey-brown patina. Stock has light scratches and mars scattered overall. There is a small 0.25" hairline crack that extends downward from back of upper tang. Action is functional.