Beschreibung:

MADE FOR CHARLES GORDON AN EXCEPTIONAL CASED PAIR OF 40-BORE PERCUSSION DOUBLE-BARRELLED RIFLED HOWDAH-PISTOLS SIGNED JOSEPH HARKOM, serial no's 1680/81, with browned 9in. barrels, the matted top-ribs signed 'JOSEPH HARKOM & SON, EDINBURGH' in a plain panel, bead fore-sights, standing notch rear-sights, fully colour-hardened breech-blocks with engraved platinum vented plugs, the rib-ends at breech numbered respectively '1' & '2' of a pair, fully scroll engraved colour-hardened top-tangs, border and fine rose-scroll engraved colour-hardened bar-action locks with en-suite dolphin-headed hammers, figured walnut half-stocks with chequered grips, engraved nd moulded colour-hardened butt-caps, blued scroll engraved trigger-guard bows and captive blued iron under-barrel ramrods, both pistols in outstanding original condition and complete with their maker's brass-cornered oak storage case, the inside of lid with small parchment Joseph Harkom & Son trade-label, the interior lined and compartmented in green baize (one compartment lid expertly replaced) and containing a full suite of original accessories including a leather faced loading mallet, a fine pigskin covered powder flask signed 'G. & J.W. HAWKSLEY, SHEFFIELD', two ivory nipple-pots with spare nipples for both pistols, two ebony patch-pots, a scissors ball-mould with integral funnel, an ebony handled mahogany cleaning rod with a selection of jag ends, two period Joyce cap-tins, a nipple key and a pair of nipple cleaners, all also in exceptional original condition Other Notes: It is believed that these pistols were lot 54 in the famous auction of guns belonging to Charles Gordon in 1908, where they were sold for the princely sum of 10 shillings