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John Dickson & Son Round-Action 12 gauge lightweight Damascus ejector assisted opening outstanding Guns International #: 102130203 Seller's Inventory #: Category: Dickson & Son (John) Shotguns - Shotguns - English Double Antique Seller's Information When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com Seller: brandonhal Company: Member Since: 2/23/14 First Name: Brandon Last Name: Halstead State: State not Found Zip: 09468 Country: United Kingdom Phone: Fax: Number of Active Listings: 4 Total Number of Listings: 29 Seller: Private Seller Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns. Payment Types Accepted: paypal; certified bank check Description: The debate continues whether John Dickson & Son, or James MacNaughton & Sons, was Scotland’s finest gunmaker, but it is undisputed that both of these exceptional craftsmen were on par with Purdey, Holland & Holland, and Boss & Co.  Edinburgh master John Dickson has attained “almost a cult name among shotgun enthusiasts…and the Dickson round action (a true round action too, not merely a conventional action with the corners rounded off) is a trigger-plate design that commands as much as the finest London sidelock” (Terry Wieland, Vintage British Shotguns). What makes Dickson’s round actions so collectible is while they match, or perhaps exceed, the London “Big Three” in design and quality, their production numbers are much lower and harder to come by. Noted UK gun specialist Jack Rowe praises Dickson being “most famous for their round-action gun,” and describes them as “being in a class of their own...it is difficult to compare them to a London best sidelock…the work inside these guns is of quality equal to a London gun.” George Caswell, an American expert on British guns, agrees, stating “in quality, Dickson guns qualify as excellent to excellent-plus…they are not common in the market…and command a premium of 20 to 30 percent. Overall, the Dickson is an impressive gun that seldom, if ever, is a disappointment to its user. There is a definite magic to a Dickson: put one on the rack with many other types and it will be the first to be handled by anyone who knows anything about guns.” This rare find is an all original Dickson with absolutely exceptional Damascus barrels, and its famous round action completely engraved in finest acanthus scrollwork and paisley patterns. Serial number 46## was made in 1893 and qualifies as an antique with direct shipment to the purchaser. As with all shotgun manufacturing of this era, every item of engraving, fitting, etc., down to the thousandth of an inch, was hand-crafted without the assistance of automated machining, computer measurements, or electronic assistance. Absolute master craftsmen invested hundreds of hours into each shotgun they made by hand, with hundreds of more hours dedicated to the engraving, fitting and finishing of each masterpiece. The action itself is perfectly rounded to compliment the contours of the stock at the hand, and reflects an engineering design and beauty unmatched by other gunmakers. The maker’s name “JOHN DICKSON & SON” bolsters each side in a scrolling cartouche, with the annotation “PATENT” on the banner beneath the scroll. Highly detailed and refined engraving completely covers the action, fences, topstrap, floor plate, trigger guard, safety, and release lever. Gold pop-up cocking indicators are mounted on each side of the topstrap, with inlaid in gold lettering “SAFE” above the sliding safety. Assisted-opening action, with automatic ejectors that function flawlessly and powerfully. This is a super lightweight 12 gauge that handles like a 20 gauge. Matching serial numbers 46## are on the trigger guard, action flats, and barrel flats. The action flats, barrel flats, and fore-end hardware also have the maker’s details “J.D. & S. PATENT 460” engraved on these areas. The face, flats and action are virtually spotless with no powder marks, while the double-bite action locks up tight with absolutely no play or looseness. Original London antique/pre-1898 proof marks of the “V” under a crown “view mark” are on both the action flats and barrel flats, while the barrel flats also have the London proof marks “GP” beneath a crown, along with the lion rampant over the script letters “GP” on the barrel rounds. 12 bore chamber markings for 2 & ½” shells are reflected by the 12 over a “c” inside diamonds on the barrel flats, along with the .729 bore diameter reflected in the “12” on each flat. The barrels themselves have an amazing Damascus twist pattern in a warm brown finish in 28 & 1/8” length with a brass sight bead at the end. The raised game rib still retains the faintest engraving of the maker’s details, but is no longer fully visible. The number “1” is on the game rib at the breech, and on the fore-end wood inlaid in gold. Again, the barrels are flawless with mirror interiors, zero powder marks and outstanding measurements, coming in at 24,000+ for both the right and left wall thickness, and are even / consistent throughout the barrels. The right choke measures as cylinder, while the left choke measures improved cylinder and as indicated by the annotation “CHOKE” on the barrel flats. These barrels reflect a mastery of metalwork; exceptional strength with lightweight and responsive handling, while standing out as among the most handsome in the field.  With continued good care and cleaning after each shoot, this collector’s item should offer great future hunting well into the next century – a future family heirloom for generations to come. The well figured stock has fine checkering throughout the hand and on the butt, with a handsome dark grain and dark veins running the length of the stock, and a brass oval on underside of stock engraved with “W.A.F.H.”, perhaps its original owner from the late 19th century. Overall length of pull at 15”. Nicely checkered splinter fore-end with an engraved base, tip, center gold inlaid #”1” inside a diamond, and Anson plunger release. Superb handling and responsiveness with an overall ultra-light weight of only 6 lbs. 1 oz., the slightly longer barrels and stock offer well balanced shooting. This collector’s item is housed in a period appropriate original leather guncase with “JOHN DICKSON & SON GUNMAKERS 63 PRINCES STREET EDINBURGH” decal in the lid, as well as the annotation “Shooting Tackle of every description” in fine print on the label. Chrome lock, with initials “J.J.P.” on the lid.  The case shows signs of use over its past 100+ years in service with minor wear and discoloration on the leather, but overall solid condition. Handle and leather straps are strong and good condition. Interior in green baize has some wear and age appropriate discoloration, but no losses. Includes William Powell oil bottle in brass. In total, virtually no cosmetic blemishes on the gun despite being a 130 year old antique.  Overall excellent, beautiful condition, with hand-made quality apparent throughout its manufacture.  It’s also an investment-grade antique that can be taken into the field without the worry or expense of a large five or six figure outlay, offering the opportunity to purchase a fully functional antique masterpiece by one of the world’s finest, if not arguably Scotland’s best and one of the UK’s premier shotgun makers of all times. With the growing popularity of upland hunting using classic British shotguns, this is a great combination of beauty and function without absolutely breaking the bank. Affordable luxury; ready for your next century of shooting. This is a pre-1898 firearm and qualifies as an antique with direct shipment to the purchaser. We are a US military family stationed in the UK, and ship at an insured and flat rate of $125 because this package with the gun case is heavy; usually takes approximately a month to arrive in the US. However, for purchases at or above the list price I will cover the cost of shipment. Online member since 2002 with 100% positive feedback. Payment via Zelle, PayPal or certified bank check accepted. Please note I am not a dealer and not an expert, but a private collector, have tried to enter all the details I am aware of for this gun, and will try to answer any questions as best I can. I am downsizing my collection and hope to find other US enthusiasts of classic English shotguns to re-home a few of these pieces. Thanks for your interest. Key words: sxs shotgun, side by side, British, English, Scottish, Scotland, double barrel, 12 gauge, 12 ga, 12g, side lock, sidelock, shotgun, shot gun.   Price: $21,975.00 Antique: Yes Shotgun Gauge: 12 Gauge Manufacturer: John Dickson & Son Model: Best Serial Number: 46xx Barrel Length: 28 and 1/8 Bore: 12 gauge Chambers: 2 and 1/2 Ejectors: yes Condition: superior Metal Condition: Damascus Wood Condition: highly figured Bore Condition: mirror Barrels: sxs Action: Round-action ejector Triggers: 2x Stock: English straight-hand LOP: 15 Rib: raised game Weight: 6 lbs. 1 oz. Manufacture Date: 1893 Chokes: fixed Choke Left: IC Choke Right: cyl Engraving: yes Extras: oil bottle Case: yes Minimum Wall Thickness Left: 24,000+ Minimum Wall Thickness Right: 24,000+