I saw an interesting drilling yesterday. Rib marked Field London and locks marked "English". sxs 16 ga x about 9-10mm. Rib and folding leaves high quality. But looks continental to me. I took pics, but can't get logged in to jpeg.box again. PM me if you can post pics here and I will send. halka@daktel.com

https://www.jpgbox.com/submit.html?

Got it working. They were just slow to respond to password change request. Can't see well, so quality may be poor:

Not a drilling but a Cape Gun (one shotgun and one rifle barrel -usually side by side).

If I am reading the Proof marks correctly as 13 and 52) almost certainly chambered for a 12 bore shot cartridge and a .450 rifle cartridge.

If the rifle chamber has a very pronounced bottle neck it could well be chambered for the .577/.450 Martini-Henry service cartridge.

That was a popular combination for South African use.

Just an off the wall comment but "The Field" magazine in London offered rifles with their name on them in the early 1860's:

16 May 1861, "The Field"

Must have been a 12. Just did a quick glance at the muzzles. So with the simple "English" on the locks it looks like some actioner did exactly what the advert above states. Was not in good condition, yet someone paid $826 for the old beast.

Looking at the style, the top rib and the back action locks on a bar action type plate I would have a good guess that it was made in Birmingham by the Midland Gun Company for someone else and intended for the South African market. Lagopus.....

Seems there was a "Alfred Field, London" :

Alfred Field

W-heil, Wolfgang

...and some more:

Alfred Field

Another A. Field

Wolfgang

https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=505223

https://doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=84700

There are a couple threads where we have been chasing the elusive Alfred Field & Co.


Serbus,

Raimey
rse

Clapped out p.o.s.
JR

John, don't pussyfoot around. Tell us what you really think!