GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
WONDERFUL EXHIBITION GRADE 20 GAUGE BROWNING SUPERPOSED WITH THREE COLOR FLUSH GOLD INLAY BY ANDRE WATRIN AND RELIEF GOLD INLAY BY LOUIS VRANCKEN WITH BOX.BROWNINGOU EXHIBITION55444V920 GAMODERNCal. 20 ga. 3” Chambers. This exceptional Browning embellished by two of the best engravers in Belgium, has 26-3/8" bbls, marked for IC and mod. Bbls are gold inlaid with Browning Arms St. Louis and Montreal addresses, and "MADE IN BELGIUM" on left, and steel, chamber, and patent info on right. Bbls have narrow, matted, ventilated rib with white front, and silver mid, beads. Blued standard Browning OU action with gold-plated sgl selective trigger, is masterfully flush inlaid with gold and yellow gold in sweeping open scroll surrounding hunting scenes in western U. S. background; semi-relief gold inlaid hunter shoots at departing covey of quail while his hunting dog breaks point at the flush on left side of action. A white gold boulder is in foreground. Right side portrays what is undoubtedly the same hunter and dog with flushing pheasant in flush gold inlaid brush land. Portrait of dog retrieving grouse is on bottom of action. Trigger guard has matching scroll. This unique inlay is signed by "A. Watrin" on left who is an acknowledged master of carefully conceived and executed flush gold inlay, and by "L. Vrancken" on right rear, who is known for his exceptionally well detailed relief gold work. Nicely stump figured claro walnut short tang round knob buttstock measures 14-3/8” over Browning open sided white line pad. Checkering has carved beaded borders and relief carved acanthus finials, and wraps over top of grip. Matching forend is of 1-pc field type. Bore diameter: top -.618, bottom -.618. Bore restrictions: top. .011 (mod), bottom: .005 (IC). Drop at heel: 2", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Weight: 6 lbs 4 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". Black and gold Browning box has no end label, but does have small label inked in "Browning Exhibition" "3 color blue" "20 ga IC/M". Box contains wrapping tissue and instruction manual. PROVENANCE: Copy of invoice for this particular gun showing that it was shipped to Laredo Texas dated Aug 26, 1970, at a cost of $3760.00, with a suggested retail of $4700.00. CONDITION: Excellent, essentially as new, appears unfired since proof, with only a few minor handling marks on wood and metal. Checkering remains bright and clean. Mechanically crisp. Box has some light chips. 49498-1 MGM251 (30,000-40,000)