.700 bore diameter, 46" barrel length. A Good 18 Bore English Flintlock Sporting Gun By James Freeman Jr, London, Circa 1740. Swamped 46 inch two-stage barrel, turned girdle, and silver front sight. Struck at the breech with two gold lined stamps, possibly Cristiano Leoni. Pistoia, Italy. Engraved breech tang. Rounded lock signed Freeman, safety catch. the pan with rainproof drains and hollowed out base. Highly figured walnut half-stock carved in relief with shell at rear of barrel tang. Iron mounts, comprising rounded fore-end cap, triggerguard with chiseled finial, the pierced sideplate chiseled in relief with foliage, chiseled escutcheon. Two silver ramrod pipes. Later horn tipped ramrod. Condition: Good overall with some wear to stock and minor pitting at touch-hole. Provenance: The Shirley Family. Ettington Park W. Keith Neal Literature: W. Keith Neal and D.H.L. Back. Great British Gunmakers 1540-1740, p. 421, plates 181 a,b