GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
EXCEPTIONALLY FINE BROWNING EXHIBITION GRADE TRAP SUPERPOSED WITH THREE COLOR FLUSH AND RELIEF GOLD INLAY BY ANDRE WATRIN AND LOUIS VRANCKEN.BROWNINGOU EXHIBITION1044S212 GAMODERN; IVORYCal. 12 ga. 2-3/4” Chambers. This very fine Browning is embellished by FN''s two top engravers. It has 32" bbls, marked for full and full, are gold inlaid with "BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS Mo. & MONTREAL P.Q." on left, and right with "MADE IN BELGIUM" and chamber info. Bbls are fitted with "broadway" trap ventilated rib with two "certifiable pre-ban ivory" beads. Blued standard Browning OU action with gold-plated sgl selective trigger, is masterfully relief gold inlaid with two color attenuated scroll morphing into stylized griffins on sides and bottom of action. There is flush inlaid gold banding at edges. This unique treatment surrounds relief gold inlaid birds with flush gold inlaid backgrounds in three colors; each side depicts a pair of relief male black grouse in combat with background of foliage and mountains in flush inlaid yellow gold, offset by flush inlaid white gold birch trees, all to very fine effect. Bottom of action depicts an auerhahn displaying on a branch in relief, with flush gold rising sun in background. Portrait of black grouse is on trigger guard bow. Engravers signatures, "A Watrin" is on bottom rear of left side of action, and "L. Vrancken" is at bottom rear of left game scene. Nicely feather crotch figured claro walnut long tang flat knob buttstock measures 14-3/8” over Browning open sided white line pad. Checkering at grip is flanked by relief carving which continues the griffin theme, with head and tongue of griffin running up along side bottom tang, and wings around top. Flat of knob is relief carved with smaller scroll and griffin heads. More of this fine carving is on matching straight beavertail type forend. Bore diameter: top -.723, bottom -.724. Bore restrictions: top. .037 (full), bottom: .038 (full). Drop at heel: 1-5/8", drop at comb: 1-1/4". Weight: 7 lbs 15 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". PROVENANCE: The Collection of Robert Burg. CONDITION: Excellent, essentially as new, appears unfired since proof, with only the slightest of light assembly and handling marks in wood and metal. Checkering has a hint of darkening. Mechanically excellent. A truly exceptional work of art. 49100-15 MGM253 (20,000-30,000)