GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
LOVELY LITTLE, AS FOUND, BOSS 20 BORE SIDELOCK EJECTOR LIGHT GAME GUN WITH SCARCE SINGLE SELECTIVE TRIGGER, AND CASE.BOSSSXS SIDELOCK801920 GAMODERNCal. 20 GA 2-3/4" Chambers. (Made ca 1929) 26" Chopper lump bbls are engraved "Boss & Co 41, Albemarle Street, Piccadilly, London. W." and "Made in England" on narrow, swamped game rib. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 7/8 oz and 2-1/2" chambers and are also stamped 2-3/4 with no re-proof mark. SNs are on bottoms of bbls. Scaled down Boss sidelock action is stocked to the fences and features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, and unusual Boss single selective trigger with selector button on left lockplate, gold inlaid "L" and "R". Action and lockplates are engraved in typical Boss house style of rose and scroll, as normally done by Jack Sumner. Scroll is exceptionally well cut as are bouquets, of which there are 20. "Boss & Co" is on each lockplate. Trigger plate is stamped with patent info for the Boss single trigger. Small bow, single beaded, trigger guard has SN relief engraved at grip. Strikingly flame/ fiddle figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-3/4" over 2" lengthening piece to checkered wood butt. Lengthening piece matches quite well as to grain structure and figure. There is a slight color difference in wood from fading since installation. Lengthening piece appears to be fitted to orig curve. Stock features typical drop points and checkering at grip, and a vacant gold oval on toe line. Matching splinter forend has Anson release and is fitted with Boss''s highly regarded ejector system. Bore diameter: left -.617, right -.618. Bore restrictions: left -.002 (skeet), right -.001 (skeet). Wall thickness: left -.033, right -.033. Drop at heel: 2-1/4", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Weight: 5 lbs 12 oz. LOP: 14-3/4". A & F marked VC case with stitched leather corners has been blackened. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth. Boss Albemarle Street paper label is in lid. Case contains pair of A & F marked snap caps. PROVENANCE: Consigned from James Ford Bell Family Collection. "JFB" was the founder of General Mills in Minneapolis, Bell was also an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, a lay scientist, an avid sportsman and a conservationist who helped shape the history of waterfowling and waterfowl management in North America. His Delta, MB research station is legendary as was his sporting legacy. CONDITION: Very fine, as found. Bbls retain most of what appears to be orig blue, thinned overall from normal hand wear, and with some minor marks. Action retains a considerable amount of its orig case hardening color, which was never vivid. Lockplates retain about half of their color, strongest on right. Top lever retains most of what appears to be its orig blue, but may be an old re-blue, silvered on thumbpiece. Trigger guard is essentially all silver at grip, with a considerable amount of blue on bow. Stocks retain most of what is most likely an old oil refinish, sharp edges and checkering somewhat worn. There are 5/8" stress cracks behind each lockplate, and another behind top tang, that do not flex. Bores are excellent with one or two very small scattered pits, and a small dent 6" back from muzzle on right bbl. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Trigger functions well. Safety is a bit gummy. Case leather has a number of scuffs, especially on corners, one of which is detached and inside. Interior cloth is good with considerable amount of rubbing and soiling, some areas rubbed through. Label is good, foxed. Bottom area has had block removed and new cloth set in to accommodate lengthening piece. 49528-1 MGM274 (30,000-50,000)