Canadian. Circa 1857-1879. 2-5 examples known to Don. Don referred to this as a "buggy gun". Made for W.N. Burrows who was a bootmaker in Ottawa in 1864. Silver butt cap is engraved, "W N BURROWS". Tang is engraved, "D. BOOTH OTTAWA". 16 1/4”, .36 calibre rifled barrel beside an approx. .50 calibre (smaller than 28 gauge) smooth bore. The barrels show some light pitting. The walnut is heavily varnished. Silver bands ahead of the tang. There is no “lock”. While holding the gun with the barrels pointed downward, the under hammer is pulled back which forces the front of the spring steel trigger guard back, the trigger falls forward through gravity and engages a notch in the hammer. Pulling the trigger releases the trigger guard to spring ahead and fire the gun. The “cup” on the hammer pivots side to side so that only the cap that is hit by the cup is fired. The whole system is quite ingenious. There is a square hole on the back of the grip to accommodate a shoulder stock which is now missing. Don and Joyce Blyth collection. CODE:FIREA