GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
RARE BAERTEN ENGRAVED 28 GAUGE BROWNING MIDAS GRADE SKEET GUN WITH CASE.BROWNINGOU - MIDAS SKEET2988F7028 GAMODERN; IVORYCal. 28 GA 2-3/4" Chambers. 28" Bbls are marked for skeet and skeet. Bbls have raised, matted, ventilated rib fitted with "certifiable pre-ban ivory" beads, and are marked with Browning St. Louis and Montreal addresses, as well as "MADE IN BELGIUM" on left side, and with steel, chambers, and patent info on right. There are 2" triangles of well cut relief open shaded scroll at breech ends. Blued standard Browning OU action with gold-plated sgl selective trigger, is engraved in typical Midas style, as designed by Louis Vrancken, consisting of near full coverage of large open shaded scroll with acanthus highlights surrounding game scenes with semi-relief gold inlaid subjects. These scenes are within gold inlaid ovoid borders, with flourishes at bottom. Three pheasant fly into open meadow on left side of action, and a trio of ducks take wing from marsh on right. A quail flies across bottom of action. Trigger guard with matching scroll, has vacant shield on bow. This fine engraving is signed by noted Browning master engraver, "J. Baerten" at bottom rear of both sides of action. Nicely flame figured American walnut short tang flat knob buttstock measures 14-3/8" over open sided Browning white line pad. Modified point pattern checkering wraps over top of grip, and has flourishes into butt. Matching forend is of flared beavertail type. Bore diameter: top -.549, bottom -.541. Bore restrictions: top -.009 (skeet), bottom -.002 (skeet). Drop at heel:1-3/4", drop at comb: 1-5/16". Weight: 7 lbs. 0 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". Dark brown vinyl Browning case is lined in brown faux fur, and contains two keys. PROVENANCE: Rod Fuller Estate Collection. CONDITION: Excellent, essentially as new, with only one or two of the faintest marks visible on buttstock, and a couple more on forend. Mechanically crisp. Case is excellent. 49114-46 MGM225 (7,500-12,500)