Mark's new C 16 is typical of C's after the early 20s. After that date, there was almost always a single bird , often a mallard, or a dog. Mallards, swimming, flying, standing were common C engraving subjects. Mark's has a common, and very nice, subject and execution. Gauge didn't seem to make any difference. I've seen 12's with woodcock and 28's with mallards.
After the early 20s, I think most C's were unique. There is always some difference in engraving, at least among the guns I've seen. Before that period, there was a standard C engraving on many but there were still some with unique engraving.
Somebody mentioned the rondell side panel engraving on Doc's 2 barrel set. I have been privileged to handle that gun and have shown photos of it before. In my study of C engraving, about a quarter of the C's made between 1900 and 1905 have the rondell side panel style and it will come with some unique engraving on the bottom. Still, most of the C's between 1900 and the early 20's had a standard five ducks on the bottom and pointer and setter on the sides. You would think that engraving would be mentioned in an order book, but it never is, or rather, I have never seen it mentioned. I guess you got what you got, but a person would think that a person could specify what engraving he wanted.....like a grouse hunter getting a grouse engraved on his special order 20ga.
There is one gun with a spaniel head, another with a sailing ship, and these and others sure look like special order engraving to me. Wonder why we have never been able to find any written record of it. Other guns have extra deep engraving, again no record that I have seen in any order book entry.
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