GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
PAIR OF COGSWELL & HARRISON "AVANT TOUT" SIDEPLATED BOXLOCK EJECTOR GAME GUNS WITH CASE. COGSWELL & HARRISON AVANT TOUT 43478/ 43479 12 GA. MODERN (1909) Cal. 12 ga. 30" Dovetailed steel bbls are engraved with makers name with New Bond Street address, and "THE AVANT TOUT", on narrow game ribs. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with "ARCUS" steel trademarks. Bbls are fitted with C&H "Avant Tout" ejector springs. Case hardened sideplated boxlock actions feature automatic safeties (SAFE gold inlaid), hidden crossbolt third fasteners, and double triggers. Actions are engraved with 50 - 60% coverage well cut medium shaded scroll with rose bouquet highlights on sideplates. Each sideplate is also engraved "Cogswell & Harrison Ltd." Scroll engraved top levers, trigger guards and broad floorplates are blued. SNs are on trigger guard tangs. Top action tangs, sideplates, and trigger guard tangs have been bent to accommodate extreme cast off at face (guns were obviously made for someone with a very full figure and face). Stocks curve back in for normal shoulder placement. These unusual stocks are exceptionally well matched with very fine dark marbling and good figure. They are of European walnut, and measure 13-3/4" over ribbed wood butts. Nicely shaped drop points are behind sideplates. Standard checkering with mullered borders is at grips. Silver ovals on toe lines are engraved "J.W". Matching splinter forends fitted with ejector trips, have Anson releases. These guns are a true pair with the numbers "1" and "2" engraved on ribs. (These numbers appear no where else on guns, and components must be matched up by SN.) Gun 43478 no. "1" : Bore diameter: left -.730, right -.730. Bore restrictions: left -.016 (mod), right -.006 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.032, right -.033. Drop at heel: 1-7/8", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Weight: 6 lbs 9 oz. LOP: 13-3/4". Gun 43479 no. "2": Bore diameter: left -.731, right -.730. Bore restrictions: left -.016 (mod), right -.006 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.033, right -.031. Drop at heel: 1-7/8", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Weight: 6 lbs 9 oz. LOP: 13-3/4". What appears to be orig makers brown canvas 2-gun motor case with stitched leather corners and trim, is embossed "J. W." "XV." "K.H." on top. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth and has paper C & H New Bond Street label in lid. Case contains 3 aluminum snap caps and another marked "Parker Hale". CONDITION: Very fine, as partially refinished. Both sets of bbls retain over 90% of an older, well done re-blue with some light marks and rubs, mostly on bottom of bbl set "2". Actions and lockplates retain 40 - 50% orig case hardening color, quite strong where protected. Balance has fading color, turning to silver. Top levers, floorplates, and trigger guards retain nearly all of a sympathetic re-blue, engraving slightly softened. Stocks retain nearly all of a well done rubbed oil refinish, checkering re-run, and is fairly sharp. Bores are very fine, lightly frosted, with one or two scattered small pits, and one or two shallow dents. Actions are tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are slightly out of time on gun no. "1". Case shows considerable wear and fading. Straps and handle are good. Interior cloth is good with some stains and rubs. Partitions are slightly loose. These are not "crossover" stocks. A solid pair of guns that actually handle quite well (best with a wad of chewing tobacco in your right cheek). 49417-8 MGM143 (5,500-8,500)