It isn't often a Perrins of this quality turns up. Jason and Julie came round this morning with this superb example of a Perrins hammer gun. I think it is one of the best pieces of wood we have seen on any Perrins gun. The gun has seen some restoration work, but it hasn't been over restored, so retains much of it's character befitting a gun which is almost a century and a half old. Unlike many contemporary guns of this era the method of locking up the barrels is not a double bite attached below the barrels but a finger which closes into a slot in the breach face, where a bolt secures it. This neat locking method has stood the test of time as the gun is as tight as the day it was made. We can't find any serial number but the engraving is top quality with dogs and birds in front of fencing and trees. The gun is nitro proofed. Dating this gun is a little tricky. The address is 59 Broad Street, so is post 1879, but it doesn't have the 'NOT FOR BALL' proof mark which started to be used in 1875. So maybe it was a gun made and proofed before 1875 but finished and sold after 1879. It must have been an early one from this address as it has a wedged fore-end. My guess is it will remain a mystery. A great find of a quality gun which I am sure will be a delight to shoot.