LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON, NO. 5070 FOR 1840

with browned damascus twist sighted barrels signed in full along the rib, London proof marks, case-hardened breeches each with platinum plug and engraved ‘Smith’s Patent’ within a platinum rectangle between, tang engraved with foliate scrollwork and with a pheasant in a landscape at the top, signed rounded serial numbered locks each decorated with foliate scrollwork and a running hare in a landscape, characteristically engraved hammers each with detachable nose, figured half-stock with chequered grip, border engraved steel mounts decorated with foliate scrolls and comprising butt-plate (some old light pitting) serial numbered on the heel tang, trigger-guard with a gun dog in a landscape on the border engraved bow, trigger-plate and rear ramrod-pipe each with pineapple finial, vacant silver escutcheon and barrel-bolt escutcheons, and original copper alloy-mounted ramrod with reversable worm, 74.3 cm barrels

Offered with a pair of spare hammer noses and conventional percussion nipples.

Samuel 2 Smith, son of William Smith, carried on his father’s business at 64 Princes Street, London from 1824. He was granted English Patent No. 5978 for ‘’Imperial’ percussion cap and nipple.’ For a short period, the firm was called Smith & Co.. Samuel took his brother Charles into partnership and the name was changed to Samuel and Charles Smith and operated from the Princes Street address between 1834 and 1869.