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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK CHARLES GORDON MAGNIFICENT MADNESS BY DALLAS
LOT 3538
Documented Extremely Fine Panel Game Scene Engraved Pair of Joseph Harkom & Son 12 Bore Double Barrel Percussion Shotguns with Case and Accessories Made for the Renowned Scottish Eccentric Charles Gordon
-A) Harkom Percussion Shotgun - Serial no. 2068, 12 gauge, 30 3/4 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. Built in circa 1891, with browned damascus barrels each engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech
end and with concave rib fitted with a bead front sight, signed “JOSEPH HARKOM & SON. 30 GEORGE STREET. EDINBURGH”, engraved with a spray of scrollwork at the breech end and numbered “1”. Casehardened patent breeches each with pierced
casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. As with
“A”. The rib numbered “2”. In original brass bound
oak two tier case lined in dark green baize with
near full suite of close fitted accessories, the stocks
and actions housed in the lower level and the barrels and most small accessories housed in the lift out tray. The accessories include two leather covered brass topped powder flasks and two Hawksley leather shot flasks each with casehardened
top. Please see Donald Dallas, “Charles Gordon, Magnificent Madness”, pp. 82-85 where this pair of guns is described, discussed and illustrated.
CONDITION: As with “A” with the barrels retaining 98% of their original browned finish with scattered minor flaking and some
Renowned Scottish Eccentric Charles Gordon
platinum plug, profusely engraved with scrollwork and with blued percussion nipple. Barrels struck with London black powder proof marks. Casehardened standing breech and back action locks each signed “J. HARKOM & SON”. Furniture including casehardened trigger plate, and blued trigger guard and heel plate. Fine border and scroll engraving throughout with the locks, bow of the trigger guard and tang of butt plate engraved with fine vignettes of game birds. Well-figured straight hand half-stock with checkered grip, the underside of the butt with blank silver oval initial escutcheon. Brass mounted
ramrod with worm.
CONDITION: Extremely fine. As with so many guns made for Charles Gordon, these guns remain in unfired condition with the only condition blemishes being attributable to age and storage. The barrels have crisp engraving with near 100% original casehardened finish to the breeches. The barrel retains 95% of its original browned finish with some flaking and
minor blemishes most noticeably around the breech end and some scattered minor storage marking. The locks, standing breeches and furniture respectively retaining near 100% original casehardened and blued finish with the exception of the buttplate which each have slight storage wear from the case lining resulting in retention of 98% original blued finish. Stocks with scattered storage and handling marks, checkering factory fresh. Mechanically excellent. B) Harkom Percussion Shotgun - Serial no. 2069, 12 gauge, 30 3/4 inch solid rib bbl., brown/
scattered minor storage marking. Mechanically excellent. Exterior of case with age related storage and handling marks, the interior in virtually factory fresh original condition with the accessories appearing to be in unused condition.
Provenance: The Charles Gordon Collection;
The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000
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