GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
SUBLIME AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE .410 BOSS SIDELOCK EJECTOR SINGLE TRIGGER GAME GUN WITH CASE.BOSSSIDELOCK EJECTOR SINGLE TRIGGER GAME GUN9374.410 CALMODERNCal. .410. 3" Chambers. 26" Bbls are fitted with raised, matted rib, and are engraved "Boss & Co" and "13/ 14 Cork Street. London. W.1." on tops. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 3" chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN, and bottom rib under forend is engraved "Made in England". Dainty, perfectly scaled, sidelock action is stocked to the fences and features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, and Boss'' superb single trigger. Ronald S. Gabriel in his book AMERICAN & BRITISH .410 SHOTGUNS, relates: "In a conversation in 1982 with Boss''s ancient and retired barrel maker, Jack Rennie, he told me that the firm had made "perhaps" 13 .410s, ten side by sides with double triggers, and "3 or 4" over under .410s with single triggers." He also relates: "Abercrombie & Fitch had another side by side .410 made in 1967, SN 9374" (this gun). It obviously has a factory single trigger, as it has Boss''s "patent no 22894" (single trigger patent no) on trigger plate. Action is engraved in typical Boss house style with small scroll surrounding rose bouquets. The engraving on this gun incorporates 17 bouquets. "Boss & Co" is at the front of each lockplate. Small bow, single beaded, blued and scroll engraved trigger guard has SN on tang. Dark, finely veined, and lightly figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-3/8" over checkered wood butt. Classic drop points are behind lockplates. Standard point pattern checkering with mullered borders is at grip. Vacant gold oval is on toe line. Matching splinter forend fitted with Boss'' excellent ejector system lifting cartridges well away from ends of bbls when acting as extractors, has Anson release. Bore diameter at muzzles: left -.398, right -.402. Wall thickness: left -.045, right -.046. Drop at heel: 2-5/16", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Weight: 5 lbs 1/3 oz. LOP: 14-3/8”. Abercrombie & Fitch marked VC leather case with stitched leather corners is embossed "E.M.F." on top. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth, and contains 2-pc ebony and brass cleaning rod, square oil bottle, pair of snap caps, and a Boss marked bench cloth, along with two keys. PROVENANCE: Email from Griffin & Howe stating that this gun "was received in inventory on 6/2/69 with all specs matching; and was sold 10/22/69 to S. R. Sutphin. It was returned to inventory on 11/18/69. On 11/19/69 it was transferred to the San Francisco branch of A&F. On 1/9/70 it was returned to the NY store. On 3/19/70 it was transferred to G&H. There are no G&H records surviving before 1977. There is no other record of sale." CONDITION: Excellent, near new, with only a few minor handling marks on wood and metal, mostly from assembly and disassembly, and only a hint of cartridge halos on breechface. There is 1-1/2" stable check (which does not flex) running from left side of trigger, rearward and upward into point of checkering. There is also some lifted finish in this area. Bores are essentially mint. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Trigger works well. Case leather is excellent with a few minor marks and scuffs. Interior cloth is excellent, with some slight soiling and compressions. Accessories are fine. A dainty, well proportioned, exquisite small bore. 48995-1 MGM30 (75,000-125,000)