May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/9/2024
Per "Charles Gordon: Magnificent Madness" by Donald Dallas, this shotgun was ordered from John Dickson and Sons on August 17th, 1893 as an 11 bore double muzzleloading shotgun with back action. Charles Gordon is famous for his patronage of John Dickson & Sons at the turn of the century, purchasing over 200 guns between 1875 and 1904, with some speculation that he was solely responsible for keeping John Dickson & Sons afloat. The shotgun remains in as ordered configuration with chain Damascus barrels with diminutive bead front sight on a smooth concave tapering rib, with "JOHN DICKSON & SON. 63 PRINCESS STREET EDINBURGH" engraved at rear. Case colored hooked breeches with bright, possibly unfired, nipples. Barrel tubes with typical British proofs, including JD&S proof, and serial number. Ramrod retained by three ferrules, one slotted for barrel key, feeding into a reinforced mouth. Barrel key retained by an escutcheon at forearm. Back action percussion locks engraved with scrollwork and vignette of snipe on the right, and quail on the left, signed "JOHN DICKSON & SONS" at rear. Case colored fishform hammers with scroll en suite. Double triggers protected by a wide bottom trigger guard with a dog who is alerting on a pair of pheasants that are on either side of serial number at tang, and a pineapple finial. Vacant silver oval at toe line, smooth high poolish English butt with a long spearpoint finial heel, depicting the dog chasing after snipes, one of which has already taken flight. Housed in the classic coral colored pigskin lined case with brass joint reinforcement and John Dickson trade label in lid, with accessories comprising pair turnscrews, a fouling scraper, capper, oil bottle, nipple wrench, mainspring vice, pair powder flasks, a large bone striker pot, a small ivory striker pot, and removable box with key, brass cylinders, and a small brass disk. Includes a classic Charles Gordon slipcover with "Charles Gordon, Esq.". CONDITION: Very good, barrels with the vast majority of their browning, with some spots of cleaned oxidation over rib legends and scattered handling marks. Action and furniture very good, with some silvering to sharp edges, but large majority of case colors are strong and engraving is crisp. Stock with some handling marks and rubs throughout, including a diamond pattern in finish from resting against pigskin for many years. Case is very good with some handling marks, missing two tools, and pull for the box, with some handling marks and age-appropriate wear. Slip with heavier wear, including a partially detached end flap.
Manufacturer
John Dickson & Son