GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
VERY RARE AND EXCEPTIONALLY FINE FAMARS (ABBIATICO & SALVINELLI) "VENUS EXPRESS EXTRA LUSSO" .470 NITRO EXPRESS SIDELOCK EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE WITH FINE RELIEF SCROLL AND BULINO GAME SCENES BY DASSA WITH CASE. ABBIATICO & SALVINELLI SXS 1159 470 NE MODERN; IVORY Cal. 470 Nitro Express. 24" Chopper lump bbls fitted with matted quarter rib holding one standing, one folding leaf express rear sight, have matching front ramp fitted with gold bead and Holland & Holland style flip-over ivory night bead. Top rear of right bbl is gold inlaid in Old English script "Famars" "di Abbiatico & Salvinelli" and left side "Safari Club International" "Pittsburg Chapter 1". Bbl flats are stamped with 1996 Italian nitro proofs, SN and "A&S", along with "4651". Coin finished, robust pinless back sidelock action features top tang which extends over comb in H&H style, non-automatic safety (SAFE engraved), hidden third fastener, bushed strikers, reinforced frame, H&H type detachable back locks, and dbl triggers (front articulated). Action is engraved with relief large open scrolling acanthus with stippled shaded background surrounding fine bulino portrait of cape buffalo on bottom under "FAMARS" and "CAL 470 NE" on banners. Left sideplate is engraved with face-on large tusker in open savanna. Right side portrays charging rhino, dust flying, as he exits backdrop of thornbrush. Buffalo and Rhino are both signed "Dassa", the highly regarded Italian engraving house, with trigger plate also signed. Single beaded trigger guard engraved with matching scroll, has tang which extends to steel trap grip cap. Nicely marbled and somewhat fiddle figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/2" over thin black Decelerator pad, and features shadow line right hand cheekpiece, and point pattern checkering with line borders at grip. Matching splinter ejector forend has forward pivoting lever bolt release. Drop at heel: approx 2-9/16", drop at comb: approx 1-13/16". Cast: Neutral. Weight: 11 lbs. 7 oz. LOP: 14-1/2". Brown leather case with stitched leather corners, most likely by Nizzoli, is lined in dark green cloth, and has black leather Famars label stitched into lid. CONDITION: Excellent, essentially as new, with only the faintest of handling marks in all finishes of wood and metal, most notably a few very light scratches on cheekpiece, appears unfired since proof. Top lever and mechanics are a bit gummy from congealed oil. Case leather has a few light marks and scuffs. Interior cloth has some slight compressions, rubbed through at breech end of bbl channel from contact with third bite. An exceptional high quality dangerous game rifle. 50819-29 MGM178 (35,000-55,000)