January 23rd 2016 Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/22/2016
20 bore, Barrel lengths 27". Offered is the most exquisite set of consecutively numbered, London, best quality doubles we have had the pleasure to offer for sale. The famous English gun making firm of John Wilkes moved to the location at 79 Beak Street in 1925. Out of this shop, emanated some of the finest shotguns ever produced, and this is such a set. This is a majestic, factory cased, matching set of 20 bores. Features include: The blued barrels have the scooped rib with single brass bead sight, John Wilkes and the number 1 & 2 are done in gold, with the address "79 Beak Street, London W. 1.". All four barrels choked "modified". Bores are mint. Gun has 2-3/4" chambers, nitro-proofed, water tables are stamped ".614, 3-1/4 ton". Features the push-button release, beaver tail fore-ends. It has auto-ejectors. Barrels retain 85-90% blue, with light thinning forward of the barrels. The receivers are finely engraved in scroll with florettes, with "John Wilkes" set in gold on the sides. The barrel breech is chisel engraved in a leaf pattern. The guns are numbered in gold on top of release. They retain virtually all of the original case colors. John Wilkes London" is set in gold on the base of each, as well as the consecutive serial numbers on tang. There is a gold "D" with an arrow on both trigger guards. The exhibition grade walnut stocks are finished in oil with teardrop sides and finely executed, wrap around checkering at wrist. The butts are finely hand checkered. These guns are the traditional, English straight stock. There is some fine line engraving on the breech and base of rib on both barrels. All of the metal on fore-end is finely engraved and the guns are numbered in gold at the release on both forearms. The engraving was done by master engraver Danny O'Brien. They have a 14-3/4" LOP from the front trigger . Lock up and faces as new. They have a 1-1/2" drop at comb and a 2-1/4" drop at heel. Stocks are in near mint condition. This exquisite brace of English 20 bores is housed in its original oak and leather case, with maker label and finished in maroon velvet. Accessories include, two gold plated John Wilkes London oil bottles, ebony cleaning rod, two English ebony handled turn screws, two brass accessory tubes. The carry case has an extra canvas protecting cover. One of the finest best grade 20 bored doubles on the market today.
Serial Number
15234 & 15235