It was a truly delightful demonstration of the gunmakers art, by a maker I had not come across before. There is a good write up on the firm and family in the Historical Database; seek out George Deane. I and Holts would estimate the manufacture of this gun took place around 1840. Here is the auction description:
"G. & J. DEANE, LONDON. A FINE CASED 12-BORE PERCUSSION DOUBLE-BARRELLED SPORTING-GUN, serial no. 485, circa 1840, with 30 1/2in. browned twist barrels, signed on the rib 'GEORGE & JOHN DEANE, No.30 KING WILLIAM STREET LONDON BRIDGE', silver fore-sight, finely scroll engraved case-hardened patent breeches with platinum vents, scroll engraved top-tang, border and scroll engraved locks signed 'GEORGE & JOHN DEANE', border and scroll engraved hammers, figured walnut half-stock (slightly shortened at the butt), chequered grip and fore-end, finely scroll engraved mounts including butt-plate and trigger-guard, the latter decorated with a pointer, gold escutcheon to wrist, original brass-tipped mahogany ramrod with worm and traces of original colour; together with its original brass-cornered mahogany storage case with central lock and side-hook closure, 'D' ring folding handle to the lid, flush-fitting brass handle to the case-end, the interior compartmented in the English style and lined in maroon tooled Morocco leather (faded to brown), each compartment with a shaped lid and retaining a period flask, shot flask and ivory nipple-pot."
And hopefully, below, a couple of photos I took at the auction, so that you can see for yourselves.
Tim
