Circa 1870. With finely etched twist barrels inlaid ''WROUGHT FINE SILVER TWIST'' in gold on the rib, single gold-inlaid line at the breech, and bead front sight. Casehardened breeches each with pierced plug, engraved with a decorative panel on the rib between, and with original brass-mounted ramrod with worm retained by three ramrod pipes beneath the barrels. The underside of the barrels with maker’s mark of Sauer of Suhl. Casehardened standing breeches with long top strap and side locks each signed ''ONION & WHEELOCK'' behind the hammer, the left lock with a silver inlaid fox and the right plate with a silver inlaid running stag, the hammers each of dolphin form with silver inlaid eyes. Furniture including casehardened trigger guard with a silver inlaid figure of a hunter armed with a percussion gun raising his hat on the bow. The standing breech, locks, hammers and furniture each engraved with scrollwork bordered by silver inlaid lines. Finely figured walnut straight hand half-stock with checkered grip and forearm, the underside of the butt with blank shield shaped silver initial escutcheon. With modern lined and fitted wooden case. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection

With very fine pattern twist barrels with a bright silver colored finish. Unusually for etched twist barrels these have not been polished smooth and retain a pleasing texture. There is a very small amount of loss to the gold inlaid rib marking. The breeches retain 85% original strong casehardened finish. The casehardened finish on the standing breeches, locks and furniture is age faded, the engraving remains crisp throughout with clear detailing to the silver inlaid ornament. The stock has scattered minor age related storage and handling marks, the checkering is crisp with a short old chip to the right edge of the forearm. Mechanically excellent.