GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
EXCEPTIONALLY FINE, HIGH ORIGINAL CONDITION DANIEL FRASER BEST QUALITY FALLING BLOCK TAKEDOWN RIFLE WITH CASE. FRASER SGL SHOT RIFLE 3131 .303 British MODERN Cal. .303 British 26" Tapered round bbl is fitted with full length file cut rib holding two folding leaf express rear sight and Fraser scope mounts at rear, front portion raised forming ramp holding white bead front with flip-up porcelain night bead. A folding sight protector with lever lock is also fitted. Uncut portion of rib is engraved with Daniel Fraser name and Leith Street address. Case hardened Fraser side lever dropping block action features thumb detent releasing side lever, non-automatic bolted safety (SAFE inlaid in gold and BOLTED in platinum), gold plated internals, and heat blued takedown lever on left side. Revolving lever one turn to the left allows bbls to be unscrewed. Receiver ring is engraved "Fraser's Patent No. 370" (use number). Remainder of action is engraved with near full coverage exceptionally well cut small shaded scroll within Celtic knot borders. Blued floorplate and trigger guard are scroll engraved with SN on bow. Sides of trigger are also scroll engraved. Dark veined and lightly figured European walnut horn capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-5/8" over orig Silver pad. Stock features small, thin, shadow line cheekpiece with beaded top edge, and point pattern checkering at grip. Fancy bordered gold oval on toe line is engraved with monogram "BLS" (?). Sling eye, matching that on bbl is set deeply into stock in usual Fraser manner. Tang is fitted with Lyman folding rear sight which is neatly inlet at top of grip, and with recess for eyepiece on comb. This appears to be an orig accessory as there is no standing leaf on bbl sight. Matching removable forend has Alexander Henry type hard rubber forend tip with Deeley release. Drop at heel: approx 2-3/4", drop at comb: approx 1-15/16". Weight: 7 lbs 0 oz. LOP: 14-5/8". Makers tan oak and leather case with brass corners is lined in scarlet cloth, and has gold embossed black leather Fraser label in lid, and Fraser "VELOX" paper label tacked into lid for rifle no. 2363. Case contains straps for exterior and round oil bottle. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbl retains over 95% orig blue with some high edge wear and light scratches. Action retains approx 90% orig case hardening color, silvered on high edges. Floorplate and trigger guard retain approx 90% of their orig bright blue. Stocks are excellent with nearly all of their hand rubbed oil finish with numerous light scratches and marks, most noticeable on front right of buttstock from contact with thumb while operating rifle. A 3/8" x 1" Dutchman has been set into lower right portion of cheekpiece, appears to be an orig factory repair. Bore is excellent, with strong rifling throughout, with just a hint of frosting in grooves, and some cordite burn at throat. Action is crisp. Case leather is still light in color with some stains and numerous scrapes and bumps. Interior cloth is fine with some rubs through, and slight insect damage. Fraser label is excellent. Velox label is considerably foxed with some creases and chips. Although not made for this rifle, case is for a rifle of this type, and this rifle fits it quite well. An exceptionally fine example of this highly desirable British single shot. Only 410 actions and rifles were made. This rifle is listed by SN in DANIEL FRASER, GUN AND RIFLE MAKER OF EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND by J. Kirton. 49403-6 MGM277 (10,000-15,000)