GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
HIGH QUALITY FULL RELIEF ENGRAVED TOP LEVER HAMMER GUN WITH WHITWORTH BARRELS BY H. SCHERPING OF HANNOVER. SCHERPING TOP LEVER HAMMER GUN NSN 16 GA Cal. 16 ga. 2-9/16" Chambers. 28-1/2" Dovetailed steel bbls are engraved "H. SCHERPING HOF - BUCHSENMACHER HANNOVER." on concave game rib with dolls head extension. There are 1" triangles of well cut scroll and gold bands at breech ends. Bbl flats are devoid of any markings. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with British proofs and are engraved "SIR JOSEPH WHITWORTH''S" "FLUID COMPRESSED STEEL". A sling loop is soldered to bottom rib. Round bodied top lever action with lever filed and shaped like a fish with gold eyes, is fitted with peninsula rebounding back action locks with round bodied serpentine hammers. Action and locks are profusely engraved with exceptionally well cut, detailed and shaded, relief oak leaves, branches, and acorns surrounding truly exceptional game scenes with a pair of black cock sparring on left side of action, and a setter chasing a flushing pair of grouse on right. Right lockplate depicts a pair of pheasant strutting through garden, and left lock has an extremely fine portrait of what could be the person for whom this gun was made, in hunting regalia with gun, peering over a rock. "H. SCHERPING" is engraved on left lock behind hammer and "HANNOVER" is behind hammer on right. A high relief monogram "TF" is in gold poincon at rear portion of top tang. Trigger guard is of horn, and is checkered on bow. Nicely fiddle figured European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock has high hogback comb and measures 14-1/4" over checkered wood butt. Stock features small shadow line right hand cheekpiece, point pattern checkering with broad mullered and line borders at grip, and a sling loop matching that on bbl, on toe line. Matching fully checkered splinter forend has pivoting lever release. Bore diameter: left -.665, right -.662. Bore restrictions: left -.020 (Mod), right -.007 recess (IC). Wall thickness: left -.029, right -.032. Drop at heel: 3-3/8", drop at rear of comb: 2", drop at front of comb: 2-1/2". Weight: 6 lbs 2 oz. LOP: 14-1/4”. CONDITION: Very fine, as refinished. Bbls retain over 90% of what appears to be a very old re-black, over some marks and scratches, with a few subsequent marks, mostly on right bbl where two dents have been raised. Action and locks retain traces of case color, but are mostly pewter gray, engraving remains excellent. Horn trigger guard is good with no insect damage, but has repaired crack at base. Stocks retain nearly all of an old oil refinish over numerous light marks, checkering competently re-cut. Bores are very fine, showing some scattered light pitting and a few striations, and the aforementioned areas of dent removal. Action is very slightly loose with forend removed, but tight with forend in place. Bbls are slightly off face. Locks are crisp. An exceptional steel barreled hammer gun by this highly regarded maker. 49224-13 MGM38 (4,000-6,000)