You get the prize for clearest thinking, but, I'll be completely honest-I have no idea, really, exactly what it is. The gun predates the typical Darne grading system, and is proofed with a powder that ceased being used before 1900.
It has a rocker safety, similar to the 1894 patent R, a large key action, and a removable breech block, unlike a model P. However, the method one uses to remove the breech block is unlike anything I've ever seen:
Once you have the very V like action open, you can slide the little serrated tab down in the slot, and at that point, raise the key and slide the breech off in normal Darne fashion.
The gun has what appears to be a mount to use it in punt gun fashion, in the bottom:
Here is a better shot of the flats, for Raimey:
The gun is, sadly, a wall hanger at this point. Both rails in the breech suffer from fractures, likely the result of amature gunsmithing, not honest use, although the gun has seen plenty of that.
Bubba owned the gun, at one point. Although the gun was fitted for the Bretelle Darne, he elected to install sling swivels, anyway, after the fact.
The Bretelle always was expensive, right to this day-a new one, fitted up to the gun, is most of $500:
V grade? P grade? Something else, custom built back in the day?
I really don't know.
