GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
EXCEPTIONALLY FINE CASED PINFIRE CAPE GUN AND SHOTGUN COMBO BY M. MACH OF PRAGUE. MACH SXS RIFLE/ SHOTGUN 2074 16 Ga/ 24 Ga Cal. 16 Ga. (2-1/2″ Chambers) and 16 Ga./ 24 Ga. Rifle. This exceptional cased set was the recipient of the "Best Gun" award at the German Gun Exhibit at the Vintage Cup in 2006 and is accompanied by its trophy for same . It also won the Gold Medal, Concours d''Elegance in 2005. The 29″ shotgun barrels, and 27″ Cape Gun barrels, have deeply etched Bernard Damascus steel barrels with high flat ribs, that are inlaid in gold "Sack – Reuter" and "Frankfurt A – M" (retailer) at rear of ribs. Breech ends of bbls have gold inlaid scroll in engraved checkered background. Cape gun bbls have single standing V-notch rear sight, and German silver bladed front sight, dovetailed through rib. Bottoms of bbls have sling loops soldered on. Small forends are fixed to bbls with a screw and have an interesting arrangement for interchange of bbls. There is a spring loaded catch pivoting through forend iron. Upon depressing the forward end, the catch snaps open to allow assembly of bbls to action. This ingenious system is possibly unique. Lefacheux type action has horn covered front lever with nicely filed fences and beads. Back action peninsula locks have tall serpentine pinfire hammers. Steel trigger guard has inset horn grip at rear portion. Front portion of bow has nicely filed volute. Front trigger is set. All metal is beautifully engraved with inlaid accents of gold and silver. There are vignettes of game and dogs relief carved in finely stippled backgrounds. Right side of action depicts a large cat attacking a boar. Right lockplate has a pair of foxes preparing for a grouse dinner. Left action depicts a trio of chamois on mountaintop. Left lockplate shows a roebuck and doe in open woodlands. Top tang of action shows a sitting greyhound. Bow of trigger guard has a pair of pheasants. Background engraving is beautifully cut and nicely styled relief acanthus, highlighted with gold and silver tendrils, with a combination of checkered and stippled background. Right sidelock has "M. Mach" inlaid in gold, and left "In Prag". Honey-colored nicely marbled and slightly figured European walnut buttstock measures 14″ over steel trap buttplate with 2″ tang. Engraving continues the acanthus motif with gold inlay and relief grouse on tang. Cover of trap depicts a fine full length portrait of Jaeger wearing a cape, with his rifle at ready. SN is near heel. Stock features a nicely sculpted right hand cheekpiece, and sling loop on toe. In place of checkering there is relief carved acanthus scroll with stippled background. Everything about this fine combination gun exudes quality. Shotgun bbls: Bore diameter: left -.674, right -.675. Bore restrictions: left -000 (cyl), right -000 (cyl). Wall thickness: left -.046, right -.043. Drop at heel: 2-5/16″, drop at comb: 1-9/16″. Weight: 7 lbs. 2.9 oz, LOP 14″. Cape bbls: Bore diameter: left -.674, .602 rifle groove diameter. Bore restrictions: left -000 (cyl), Wall thickness: left -.043. Drop at heel: Approx 2-3/8″, drop at comb: Approx 1-11/16″. Weight: 7 lbs. 12.5 oz, LOP 14″. Checkered pattern leather covered wood case has large raised embossed panel on lid and brass oval central medallion, as well as large brass tack corners. Interior is lined in dark green cloth, and is closely French fitted for an array of original accessories. Accessories include two beautifully filed and polished wad cutters, one for shotgun, one for the rifle; matching rifle bullet mold has cavities for round and pointed conical projectiles; most of the other loading accessories are turned out of boxwood, and are stamped "16″, and include shell holder with wad rammer, roll crimping tool, and powder and shot dippers. Rifle loading equipment is stamped "24″ and includes shell holder, rammer, and crimper. There are also a pinfire broken case extractor, turn screw, and Greenheart cleaning rod, all with matching boxwood handles. The original patterned leather cloth-backed sling, and five modern brass pinfire cases are also included. Also accompanied by a German pewter stein awarded as the gold medal winner at the Concours d''Elegance of Fine Guns in 2006 PROVENANCE: Copy of "Waffenschmied" Fall 2006 with gun on rear cover. Correspondence regarding history of this maker. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain virtually all of their original finish, slightly silvered at muzzles. Strikingly bold pattern is evident throughout, with no areas of discoloration. Metal appears to have originally been finished in a dark French gray, and most of that finish is still present. Wood retains nearly all of its orig French polish with numerous marks and nicks. There are a few minor marks in the horn of the opening lever. Carved horn grip is excellent. All horn retains most of its high polish. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks are crisp. Rifle bore is excellent. Shotgun bores show full length scratches, possibly as maker intended, and are bright, but with some pitting. Case leather is considerably deteriorated with large areas missing, but has been stabilized. Interior cloth is excellent, with a few areas where it has been worn through from contact with gun and bbls. Accessories are excellent. Steel retains all of its bright polish. Boxwood retains its original lacquer. Unique ensemble by a maker, little known outside of central Europe, but highly regarded in Bohemia. Stein is new. 49403-9 MGM325 (15,000-22,000)