Finely Engraved Gold & Silver Inlaid, Sterling Silver Bate of London Shotgun, Percussion Conversion Single Barrel, The London hallmarks on the trigger guard tang date to 1780 ("e") and suggest the mounts were by silversmith John King("I-K"). Edward Bate (1743-1810) was one of the most talented late 18th Century gunmakers and was active in London and is noted for making a variety of fine and complex arms, including air guns. The approximately 9 gauge (.80 caliber) barrel has a small bead front sight, attractively girdled transition point, intricate silver inlaid and engraved scroll, floral and martial designs in the upper flats of the octagonal section; "BATE LONDON" on the central silver inlay, a London proof and "EB" maker's mark on the upper left near the breech, and nicely fitted percussion breech plug with platinum plug. The upper tang has a burst engraving with three passing circles (possibly representing an eclipse). The lock has a gold eagle and oval inscribed "BATE" at center, fish style hammer, sliding half-cock safety, and light floral engraving. The furniture is all sterling silver and has mostly floral ccast designs and engraving, in addition the left stock flat has a finely detailed scene of a hunter approaching a downed stag in a pastoral scene executed in silver plate and wire. the buttplate also has a martial motif on the heel. The stock has a smooth forend, large diamond and dot pattern checkering on the wrist, fine scroll and shell pattern carving in raised relief around the upper tang and padded comb.

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