GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
BROWNING DIANA GRADE .410 AND 20 GAUGE TWO BARREL SET WITH UNUSUAL SPECIAL ORDER GAME SCENES BY L. VRANCKEN AND CASE. BROWNING OU DIANA 267V72 20/410 MODERN Cal. 20 ga. and .410. Both 26-3/8" bbl sets with matted, ventilated ribs, are marked for IC and Mod. Both bbl sets have Browning Morgan Utah and Montreal addresses, and "MADE IN BELGIUM" on top lefts. "BROWNING SUPERPOSED", steel, gauge, and chamber information are on rights. Small sized coin finished action is engraved in Diana style with deeply cut attenuated scroll with strapwork highlights surrounding game scenes, the subjects of which are unusual and obviously custom ordered; a group of pigeons, one flying, one taking off, with two sitting on ground on left side, and a group of snipe, two on ground in foreground with another flying over marsh in background, on right. A pair of quail fly across bottom of action, and the usual rabbits are on trigger guard bow. This engraving is signed "L. Vrancken" under pigeon scene. Crotch figured claro walnut long tang square knob buttstock measures 14-3/8" over Browning composition buttplate. Point pattern checkering wraps over top of grip. Matching long forends are of field type. 20 Ga Bbl set : Bore diameter: top -.620, bottom - .621. Bore restrictions: top - .010 (mod), bottom - .005 (IC). Drop at heel: 2-3/16", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Weight: 6 lbs. 2 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". .410 BBL set : Bore diameter at muzzle: top -.395, bottom - .398. Drop at heel: 2-1/4", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Weight: 6 lbs. 6 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". Tan vinyl Hartman case is lined in beige faux fur, has space for both sets of bbls, and contains case instructions and two keys. PROVENANCE: Lifelong Collection of Gentleman Collector Herbert Hyatt. CONDITION: Excellent, with evidence of considerable field use, with 20 ga bbls considerably more used and silvered at muzzles and rib than .410 bbls, which have a myriad of spots on top left side. Coin finish of action is somewhat darkened with a number of light marks and scratches in orig wood finish. Checkering is lightly worn. Grip checkering darkened. Gold of trigger has some bubbling on finger blade, worn on edge, and with considerable rubs at top. Bores are excellent. Mechanically excellent. Case exterior has a number of scuffs and marks. Interior cloth considerably soiled from action and bbls. A very interesting small bore Browning. 49896-3 MGM197 (7,000-11,000)