GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
RARE, HIGH QUALITY WESSON FIREARMS CO (FRANK WESSON) DOUBLE PERCUSSION SHOTGUN. WESSON PERC 1870 NSN 12 GA Cal. 12 ga. Frank Wesson, brother to Daniel and Edwin, and uncle to Edward, made military and sporting guns in Worcester, Mass, later Springfield, and is the inventor and maker of the "2-trigger" single shots, and producer of fine quality falling block target rifles. This unusual high quality shotgun was most likely made in the early 1870's when Wesson Firearms Co. moved to Springfield, Mass. It has 28" bbls of fine Bernard Damascus with "WESSON FIREARMS CO SPRINGFIELD MASS" engraved on rib. Patent breeches have silver blow-outs. Front action locks are mounted with tall, round bodied, serpentine hammers with tall, checkered spurs. Trigger plate has stylized pineapple finial which matches thimble. Locks and all metal parts are engraved with near full coverage of exceptionally well cut, large, open, shaded scroll with punch-dot background in the style of noted Colt engraver, Gustav Young, who was based in Hartford, CT, (30 miles downriver from Springfield). Lightly fiddle figured American walnut stock is fitted with engraved steel buttplate with short spur. There are small drop points behind lockplates, and flat top point pattern checkering is at grip and forend. Stock attaches to bbl with captive side nail which slides through and is flush fitted into engraved steel escutcheons. A single beaded pipe on bbl holds nicely figured fruitwood ramrod with brass tip and tail which has worm under cap. PROVENANCE: Paul Tudor Jones II Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain most of their orig brown finish with dramatic pattern. Other metal parts retain traces of their orig case hardening color which doesn't appear to have ever been strong. Stock retains most of what appears to be its orig finish with some oil added in over the years for maintenance, with a number of knocks and scratches. Checkering is somewhat worn and dirty, with some heavy marks on right portion of forend. Bores are excellent. Locks are crisp. An historically important American shotgun. 49941-24 MGM175 (6,000-8,000)