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The stock has a checkered bare butt with skeletonized buttplate. The forearm has an
ebony tip insert. The stock initial oval has the presentation inscription: “From/D.B.W./
to/E.S.R.” Daniel Baird Wesson (1825-1906) was known to have presented several
of these shotguns and was quite proud of his design. The likely recipient of this
shotgun is Edward S. Renwick who came from an innovative and influential
New York family. He owned Renwick Arms
which produced Perry and Goddard
derringers in the 1860s, but his relationship
to D. B. Wesson was likely related to the fact
that he was one of the best patent agents
and attorneys of the late 19th century.
Renwick was involved in multiple cases
involving firearms patent infringements
including E.S. Renwick, W. C. Hicks, Horace
Smith, and D. B. Wesson vs. Charles H. Pond
for Pond’s infringement on William C. Hicks
patent relating to cartridge extraction.
He was also an expert witness on Smith
& Wesson’s behalf in Rollin White, Horace
Smith, and Daniel B. Wesson vs. Ethan
Allen and Thomas P. Wheellock relating to
infringements on Rollin White’s patent for
bored through cylinders. Renwick’s brother
Henry B. Renwick was the Patent Office’s
chief examiner, and his other brother was
the architect of many famous American
buildings including the Smithsonian, St.
Patrick’s Cathedral, and Mark Twain House.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrels retain
30% of the attractive Damascus pattern,
otherwise aged to a smooth brown-gray
patina. 50% original blue remains on the
trigger guard. The buttplate has some
moderate pitting. The sides of the action
have strong remnants of the original case colors which have mostly silvered out on the
remaining areas. The engraving is crisp. The inscription is clear. The wood is also very good
with minor handling marks, worn bare butt, a few small chips, a short hairline stress crack at
the buttplate (left side), a few spots of residue near the inscription oval and a few blemishes
in the overall crisp wrist and forearm checkering. Mechanically excellent. An extremely scarce
and significant shotgun tied to Daniel B. Wesson himself.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
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