(M) A MASTERPIECE OF ENGRAVING, "THE BIRDS OF PREY GUN", A SYMES AND WRIGHT ENGRAVED BY THE LEGENDARY RASHID EL HADI, 12 GAUGE OVER/UNDER SHOTGUN IN CASE.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2023

Circa 1990. A famous first made over and under game gun with 28" nitro proofed blacked barrels. Barrels have been designated with Woodward / Purdey style ejectors and 2 - 3/4" chambers. Top rib is raised and matted with small steel bead front sight. Top barrel with gold border at breech and reads ".728", "NP", "12", "2 3/4", "3 1/4 TONS" on right, on left reads "Symes & Wright" and "London" on left. Bottom barrel with proof markings of "LP 89", "12", 2 3/4"", "3 1/4 TONS" and importers stamp. Barrels are choked Improved Cylinder in both barrels. This handsome coin finished sidelock game gun is built with a single triple pull trigger and is non-auto safe. "SAFE" is in gold. The right-hand rolled-edged trigger guard with light floral scroll extends to a long bottom strap with floral scroll and serial number "OU 01" in gold. This gun has great fantasy-styled game scene engraving by Master engraver Rashid El Hadi. The left lock plate depicts a hawk swooping down on its prey over a grassy field. The right lock plate demonstrates a falcon bombing in a passing and unsuspecting pigeon. Bottom action illustrates an eagle with trout in talons heading back to its roost. The supporting bold relief foliate scroll work is just as amazing with grotesque style birds of prey holding banner styled ribbons in their talons reading "SYMES & WRIGHT" in old English italics over acanthus leaves and vines. All incredible pieces of artistry. Master engraver fully signed his work as "Rashid El Hadi" at the bottom of the right lock plate and simply signed "Rash" on the left at bottom. The "British Gun Engraving" book by Douglas Tate features a biography of the engraver on page 274, and is one of 3 guns mentioned by name in Rashid's obituary, along with the Holland & Holland "Swan Gun" and the Westley Richards "Hummingbird Guns". The dark marbled walnut stock with drop points has fine over-the-wrist checkered pistol grip. Pistol grip with ebonite grip cap. The matched game over under forend is built with the exposed Woodward/Purdey style leaf ejector system. Forend also with Anson release. Gun resides in an oak and leather case with canvas outer and black and gold Symes & Wright LTD. trade label. Case accompanied by two turn screws, snap caps, oil bottle, two piece wooden cleaning rod and cleaning accessories. CONDITION: Very good. Barrels retain nearly all of their original black and bores are bright. Action, trigger, and ejectors are mechanically sound with snap caps. Stock and forend very good with visual signs of use. Very nice gun and piece of art.

Name

Value

Accessories

Oak & Leather Case with Canvas Outer & Accessories

Barrel Length

28"

Barrel Wall Thickness

(BOTH) .029

Chamber

2 - 3/4"

Choke

(BOTH) .007