Hmmmmmm. Doing some research for you today. Yours appears to be VERY like this one -
http://museumvictoria.com.au/collections/items/373579/shotgun-joseph-egg-london-circa-1830
There appears to be a pretty clear bulge on the port tube - or is that an artefact of the photography? If the former, that will reduce the value substantially. It is a very nice piece, with platinum inserts to the drum. Right now I'm putting a tentative date of around 1830-ish. This is a very interesting gun to see, as Joe claims invention of the copper percussion cap as you can see by the engraving on the lockplate, and this would have been one of the very first civilian applications of the invention - whoever actually invented it! As you can see, the whole shebang is clouded with rumour and counter-claim -
Joshua Shaw, an English-born American, is sometimes credited with the development of the first metallic percussion cap in 1814, but his claim remains clouded with controversy as he did not patent the idea until 1822. Shaw’s percussion caps used a mixture of fulminate of mercury, chlorate of potash, and ground glass contained in a small metallic cup. Other possible claimants include François Prélat, who patented the percussion cap in 1818, Joseph Manton, Col. Peter Hawker, and most likely of all,
Joseph Egg (nephew of Durs Egg).
Joseph Egg operated at this Picaddily address from about 1816 to 1835.
Any sign of proof stamps under the barrel, or around the breech? If so, we need to see them. Each barrel would be proofed separately BTW, and I'd expect to see London proofs on it.
Dating this piece could be critical, regardless of the overall condition, which is not, according to the NRA conditions, fine, but very good - see -
'VERY GOOD: All original parts; none to 30% original finish; original metal surfaces smooth with all edges sharp; clear lettering, numerals and design on metal; wood slightly scratched or bruised; bore disregarded for collectors firearms.'
For interest - here is the whole list for assessing antique arms -
NRA ANTIQUE FIREARM CONDITIONS STANDARDS:
FACTORY NEW: All original parts; 100% original finish; in perfect condition in every respect, inside and out.
EXCELLENT: All original parts; over 80% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; unmarred wood; fine bore.
FINE: All original parts; over 30% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; minor marks in wood; good bore.
VERY GOOD: All original parts; none to 30% original finish; original metal surfaces smooth with all edges sharp; clear lettering, numerals and design on metal; wood slightly scratched or bruised; bore disregarded for collectors firearms.
GOOD: Some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned or re-blued; principal letters, numerals and design on metal legible; wood refinished, scratched bruised or minor cracks repaired; in good working order.
FAIR: Some major parts replaced; minor replacement parts may be required; metal rusted, may be lightly pitted all over, vigorously cleaned or re-blued; rounded edges of metal and wood; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal partly obliterated; wood scratched, bruised, cracked or repaired where broken; in fair working order or can be easily repaired and placed in working order.
POOR: Major and minor parts replaced; major replacement parts required and extensive restoration needed; metal deeply pitted; principal lettering, numerals and design obliterated, wood badly scratched, bruised, cracked or broken; mechanically inoperative; generally undesirable as a collector's firearm.
tac
