A Very Rare 12 Bore Percussion Double Gun by Thomas Boss, No. 1186, Circa 1852. With browned twist sighted barrels, engraved ‘1’ and ‘THOMAS BOSS 73 ST JAMES STREET LONDON’ along the rib, breech with single platinum line and pierced platinum plugs, profusely engraved tavngcut with a sighting groove, border engraved flat locks each signed and serial numbered on the inside, and decorated with foliage and scroll work on the outside, hammers en suite, figured walnut cross-over half stock with chequered grip and fore-end, steel mounts comprising butt cap engraved ‘1’ and decorated with foliage and game on the tang, trigger guard decorated with a hunting dog and stylised pineapple finial, barrel bolt escutcheons also decorated with scrolling foliage.

Notes:

This gun has some of the finest engraving I have encountered, in superb condition throughout. Accompanied with a letter from Boss & Co, stating that the gun was made on April 30th 1852 for a Mr M. Cooper esq. 

BOSS

Thomas Workman of Joseph Manton, then James Purdey, C. 1817-21. Truss & Gun Manufacturer, 3 Brideg Road, Lambeth, 1822-4. Gunmaker 33 Edgware Road 1832-3, Advertised ‘Attendance upon Gentlemen at their own homes, from 8 till 12 in the forenoon, and at his residence from that hour until 8 in the evening’. At 1 Lower Grosvenor St., 1835-6; 14 Clifford St., 1836-7; 76 St James 1838-41; 73 St James’s St., 1842-59. Became Thomas Boss & Co. Ltd., still in business. 

Howard L. Blackmore (1986) Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850. George Shumway Publisher. USA.

Dimensions:

Bore: 12 Bore 

Barrel Length: 31 Inches (78.74 cm)

Overall Length: 47 Inches (119.38 cm)