This very rare double barrel coach gun was manufactured c. 1800-1815 when such guns enjoyed a brief popularity in place of the classic blunderbuss. The gun is signed by Theophilus Richards. There are two gunmakers, father and son, recorded as active in Birmingham as gunmakers. The elder Theophilus would have been active as a silversmith, cutler and jeweler by the early 1770s before turning his attentions to gunmaking. Two sons followed their father into gunmaking, Theophilus the younger possibly working with his father whilst his second son William Westley Richards established his own company. William Westley’s son Westley eventually took over his father’s business and it remains open to this day still based in Birmingham. With browned slightly flared side-by-side barrels struck with Tower private proof marks, signed “LONDON” on the concave rib and each engraved with a band of stylized running foliage at the breech end. A substantial sprung bayonet with a blade of hollow triangular section is mounted over the rib. Standing breech engraved with border lines, sunbursts and a further band of stylized running foliage and fitted with the release catch for the bayonet. Flat beveled locks each with stepped tail, safety catch, roller and raised priming pan, each signed “THEOP.s RICHARDS”. Figured walnut half length stock with checkered grip, a small blank oval initial escutcheon is inset behind the tang of the standing breech. Engraved brass furniture including trigger guard with large pineapple finial. Horn tipped wooden ramrod.

Fine. The refinished barrels have 90% of the brown finish, mild pitting, and some faint patterns. The locks have traces of case colors and otherwise a smoky gray patina. The furniture has aged patina. The markings and engraving are crisp. The stock is also fine and has some nice grain, crisp checkering, a chip forming by the wedge on the left, and a score line running from the left side of the forearm barrel at the breech end to the wrist escutcheon are relate storage and handling marks throughout. Mechanically excellent, including the bayonet mechanism.