GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
RARE FRED ADOLPH LIGHTWEIGHT DRILLING. FRED ADOLPH NO MODEL NSN 12 X 12 X 32 WIN SPEC MODERN Cal. 12 x 12 x 32 Winchester Special. 26" Krupp steel bbls are fitted with full length matted rib mounting flip-over combination rear sight for rifle and shotgun. Silver bead front is longitudinally dovetailed at end of rib. Steel marks are at breech ends of bbls. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with German "S" provisional proofs only. Case hardened, lightweight, underlever, Blitz, scallop-backed action features rifle/ shotgun selector on tang silvered inlaid "S" and "R", square shouldered dolls head rib extension, as well as Greener type side safety. Action has geometric border engraving and is also engraved "Fred Adolph" under and behind right fence, with "Genoa N.Y." at left. Fred Adolph is best known for his custom Springfield rifles, but he also provided an array of unusual double rifles and combination guns, sourced in Germany. Most were imported "in the white" and finished by Adolph himself, many with his signature relief carving around checkering patterns, and his unique style of engraving often incorporating large blossoms. His game scenes were quite good. Well marbled and nicely figured European walnut sunburst horn capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/8" over ribbed horn buttplate, and features right hand shadow line cheekpiece, point pattern checkering with double line borders, and a sling loop matching that on bbl, on toe line. Matching small forend has schnabeled tip and Deeley release. Bore diameter: left -.721, right -.720. Bore restrictions: left -.037 (full), right -.030 (IMod). Wall thickness: left -.023, right -.030. Drop at heel: approx 3-1/8", drop at comb: approx 1-7/8". Weight: 6 lbs 11 oz. LOP: 14-1/8". CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a lustrous rust re-black, with some light subsequent freckling and silvering. Action retains traces of orig case hardening color, but is mostly a hand worn silver to pewter. Stocks retain nearly all of a well done hand rubbed oil finish, edges sharp, over a few filled marks, and with some light subsequent marks. Checkering is nicely re-cut. Bores are excellent, right bbl has some very light pitting and frosting toward breech end. There is evidence of dent removal in left bbl about 9" back from muzzle. Action has just a touch of looseness. Opening lever spring is broken. There are incipient 1/2" cracks behind scalloping on both sides of action. An interesting American drilling by this well known early gunsmith who made guns for many celebrities including Teddy Roosevelt. 49224-10 MGM69 (3,000-5,000)