Joseph Bourne was an English gunmaker recorded as having premises 5 Whitall Street Birmingham 1849-1866 before coming Bourne & Son (see page 176 of British Gunmakers Vol.2 by Brown). This is an attractive double barrel percussion sporting shotgun by Joseph Bourne. It has 30” Damascus steel barrels and measures 46 ½” overall. The barrels, set side by side have a central flat top barrel rib with bead foresight. The rib has very faint indistinct wording most likely the maker’s address (to faint to photograph). The barrel’s smooth bores have just light staining consistent with age & use. It has its original walnut straight hand stock in very good condition with chequered grip panels & inlaid silver void escutcheon on top of the wrist. It’s steel butt plate tang, steel trigger guard with extended tang and acanthus bud finial, action tang, hammers and action plates have foliate engraved decoration. The action plates are both signed ‘Joseph Bourne’. The shotgun has its wood ramrod with brass cap. The weapon cocks & dry fires crisply. The price for this attractive sporting piece includes UK delivery. NB. As an antique percussion shotgun no licence is required to own this weapon in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 23720
£695.00