GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
RARE .308 CALIBER BROWNING GRADE V BAR SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLE ENGRAVED BY LOUIS VRANCKEN AND A. CROUSSE.BROWNINGSEMI-AUTO GRADE V73346M71.308 WINMODERNCal. .308 Winchester. This top of the Browning line big game rifle has 22" round bbl marked with Browning Morgan Utah and Montreal addresses, and "MADE IN BELGIUM" on left, and with "BAR", caliber, and "BROWNING PATENTS" on right, fitted with folding rear sight and front ramp with gold bead and front sight protector. Blue finished action with hinged magazine and gold plated trigger has sides engraved with well cut semi-relief large open shaded scroll with finely beaded background surrounding nicely detailed game scenes within gold inlaid line borders in similar style to Midas grade superposed guns. Subjects of the scenes are suitable quarry for rifle of this caliber, and major subjects are semi-relief gold inlaid; a family of three pronghorn antelope race across open ground on left, with another family scene of mule deer buck, doe, and fawn walking onto meadowland on right. Left scene is signed "Vrancken", and signature of "A. Crousse" is in engraving under left scene. Fine burl figured claro walnut flat knob pistol grip buttstock measures 13-3/4" over Browning buttplate. Closely spaced checkering with acanthus carved borders is at grip. Matching large forend is held by combination sling stud and screw. Drop at heel: approx 2-3/16", drop at comb: approx 1-3/4". Weight: 7 lbs 6 oz. LOP: 13-3/4". CONDITION: Excellent, near new, showing little evidence of having been fired since proof, with only a few minor marks in wood and metal finishes. Carving and checkering very slightly darkened. Gold of trigger is excellent. These truly exceptional Browning rifles were only made for four years, 1971 - 1974. Production ceased because these rifles were very costly to produce, with estimated total of 500 made. 49033-9 MGM150 (6,000-10,000)