This is an outstanding and rare original 19th Century Wyoming Territory Horse Thief Detective badge'd Joseph L. Rawbone double barrel shotgun, circa 1877-1889. The lot features an original R.L. Rawbone, Joseph Loxton Rawbone, double barrel shotgun marked "R.L. RAWBONE TORONTO" on both highly factory engraved receiver lock plates and along the top of the barrels. Joseph Loxton Rawbone was born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1855 and later moved to Toronto, Canada around 1870, where W.G. Rawbone opened a shop selling and repairing firearms (ie his father). In 1877 J.L. Rawbone was put in hcarge of the business and in 1883 he became the owner of it and by 1889 he went back to England and started painting there. This shotgun dates to circa 1877-1889 as such. The shotgun shows an inlaid original badge, possibly sterling silver but not tested, that is marked "WYOMING HORSE 2 THIEF DETECTIVE" and above this stamped "H.T.D.A.". The stock is also marked "2", "LHD / WBN", "1889" and shows another badge with a shield shape, also likley sterling silver but not tested, marked "H.T.D.A. 2 1889". The Horse Thief Detective Association or H.T.D.A. was founded in June 1884 near Wingate, Indiana by the Council Grove Minute Men brought together to address the ever-increasing crime of horse theft. These associations spread across the nation and were in a way like the Vigilantes of Montana. The lot comes with some paper work, including the orignal book / booklet titled "Horse Theif Detective Agency Badges" by Kenneth W. Lucas, Sr. 2009-2019 which gives a history of the Horse Thief Detectives and documents authentic badges including this example. Also included is paperwork on R.L. Rawbone including print outs of several advertisements. The shotgun is a double barrel side-by-side shotgun with level on the back, exposed side hammers, and the double barrels are damascus. The side plates, top of the receiver, trigger guard and bottom of the frame is highly factory engraved. The wood foregrip also has a metal insert that is factory engraved. The top of the lever and the insert into the barrel are also factory engraved. There is a very old break at the pistol grip which is secured with a wrap of Indian Parfleche which is tacked with iron nails. This is one of the only known Wyoming Horse Thief Detective shotguns that displays wonderfully. The badge appears to be an authentic original badge and the 1889 is likley a later addition. Truly a rare piece with nice document printout. Both hammers pull back and hold in place with one click, and are both released by the two triggers, appearing to function. The lever opens the barrel which swings half open in typical side by side manner and clicks closed, also appearing to function. The repaired stock has very slight movement as well as the barrel. Measures overall 38"L. Antique Firearm does NOT require FFL or background check.