Blissett Son & Tomes London 8 Gauge Breechloading Hammer Shotgun

Rare Blissett, Son & Tomes, London, 8 Gauge Breechloading Single Barrel Hammer Shotgun, 8 GA, mfg. 1878-1883. This is a very scarce original 8 Gauge cartridge shotgun by a good London maker.
The London proofed Damascus barrel measures 40 ¾" long and is fitted with a brass button front sight. The address on top of the barrel is very faint but reads “BLISSETT, SON & TOMES HIGH HOLBORN LONDON”. Serial number “7470” struck under the barrel and on front of the frame with additional London proof stamped on the water table. The gun features simple boarder engraving throughout with “BLISSETT, SON & TOMES” inscribed on the lock. The barrel shows 90%+ rebrowned finish with much of the original Damascus pattern visible. Frame is worn to silver/gray. Surfaces are generally smooth throughout with pitting along the barrel sides just above the edges of the forearm and a few smaller pits scattered along the barrel. The stock features a checkered pistolgrip and forearm with a silver nameplate. The checkering has been professionally re-cut and the wood has a pleasing smooth oiled finish with little to no marring etc. One tiny surface chip at the bottom rear edge of the forearm. Butt is professionally fitted with a correct Silver's style rubber pad. Original horn forend tip. The action features a rebounding safety and functions flawlessly. Very crisp, strong mainspring and hammer is rock solid. Original cartridge extractor and firing pin work properly. Barrel opens securely and shuts tight against the frame like a vault with no play whatsoever. The Jones underlever is arguably the best looking locking device for a classic shotgun of this period and is probably the tightest. Bright bore with light/moderate superfine blackpowder frosting mostly toward the breech. Barrel is solid without dents and rings like a bell. The forearm is very difficult to remove and requires careful prying from under the tip. Weight 11 lbs 9 oz, LOP approximately 14 1/8". A very rare and impressive BIG shotgun