GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
TRULY EXCEPTIONAL, DAINTY, EXTRA FINISH, .410 BOXLOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN BY WATSON BROTHERS WITH CARVED FENCES AND SUPERB STOCK BY EBENEZER HANDS WITH ORIGINAL CASE.WATSON BROSSxS10121410MODERN; C&R(ca 1928) Cal. 410. 3" Chambers. Most .410's were intended to be for youths or "garden guns", and were generally of low grade and plainly finished. This superb, high quality, specially finished example is unusual. It has 27" dovetailed bbls engraved "Watson Bros Gunmakers. Pall Mall. London." on narrow, swamped game rib. Bbl flats are stamped with Birmingham nitro proofs for 2-1/2" chambers. SN is engraved on bottom of right bbl. Diminutive case hardened boxlock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), and dbl triggers. Action is engraved with near full coverage exceptionally well cut varying sized open shaded scroll within small scroll borders. "WATSON BROS" is on each side, and "PATENT EJECTOR" is on blued trigger plate. Fences are deeply carved with unusual attractive fluted scrolls. Scroll engraved trigger guard has SN on tang. Beautifully marbled and lightly figured flesh-toned European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/8" over checkered wood butt, and features dainty side panels with bulbous drop points, and point pattern checkering with line borders at grip. Comb is specially carved with small teardrop at nose, which is the signature of the esteemed Ebenezer Hands, stocker for Watson Bros, and who, after Watson's closing in 1935, continued with Atkin, Grant, and Lang until he was over 91 years old. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameter at muzzles: left -.378 (Full?), right - .376 (full?). Wall thickness: left - .038, right - .044. Drop at heel: 2-3/16", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Cast: approx 1/2" off. Weight: 4 lbs. 8 oz. LOP: 14-1/8". Orig green canvas case with tan leather trim is lined in burgundy cloth, and has large paper Watson Brothers label in lid. Case contains what appears to be many orig accessories including small ebony and brass 2-pc cleaning rod, with Turks head and jag, crystal oil bottle with pewter top by James Dixon, and a pair of snap caps. A once covered compartment (cover missing) contains straps for exterior, and another compartment has small newly made leather hand guard by John Bugden. Another compartment contains a 1923 British half crown. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining its orig finishes on wood and metal. Bbls have some silvering around muzzles, thinning a bit at breeches, with some light marks and scratches. Action has over 90% orig case hardening color, silvering on sharp edges and a bit at bottom from normal hand wear. Thumbpiece of top lever is slightly silvered. Floorplate retains nearly all of its orig bright blue. Trigger guard retains traces of its orig blue, most loss on bow due to flaking. Tang is silvered. Stocks retain over 90% of their french polish, with numerous light marks and scratches, worn through on sharp edges, and at top and right side of grip. Checkering is lightly worn. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Exterior of case shows bleaching and rubs on canvas, and rubs on corners of trim. Interior cloth is fine with compressions and soiling from contact with gun and bbls. Label is fine with some rubs and light soiling. Orig accessories are good. Half crown is near uncirculated. Simply, a beautiful little .410. 51076-1 MGM272 (12,000-16,000)