GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
EARLY 28 GAUGE FAMARS (ABBIATICO & SALVINELLI) "VENERE EXTRA LUSSO" SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN WITH FINE SCROLL AND EXCEPTIONAL BULINO SCENES FEATURING DIANA GODDESS OF THE HUNT BY GALEAZZI WITH CASE. FAMARS A&S SXS 31736 28GA MODERN Cal. 28 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. This gun was made just before Mario Abbiatico and Remo Salvinelli changed their numbering system, and set out to build some of the world's best guns. This finely crafted example certainly represents one of their initial attempts combining the finest gun making with exceptional embellishment. Beautifully struck 26" chopper lump bbls are fitted with slightly raised, concave game rib. Side of left bbl is engraved "Armi" "Famars". There are 1-3/4" areas of large acanthus engraving with small scroll backgrounds at breech ends. Bbl flats are stamped with "FAMARS", SN, and 1975 Italian nitro proofs. Rear lump is stamped with first names of craftsmen involved in the making of this fine gun; Remo (Salvinelli), Primo, and Tony. Coin finished, small sized, sidelock action is nicely filed and features non-automatic safety (SICURA engraved) and single non-selective trigger. Action is engraved with near full coverage very well cut swags of acanthus in a background of small scroll with some floral highlights, surrounding vignette of Diana, quiver over her shoulder, carrying her bow, about to ready an arrow, as she strolls through open woodlands accompanied by her greyhound. This scene is nearly identical to that illustrated in plate XLV on page 186 of MODERN FIREARM ENGRAVINGS by Mario Abbiatico. Lockplates continue the theme of Diana; she is shown on right plate being dried by attending nymph, after her bath, with dogs sniffing about and drinking. Left side shows Diana seated on rock, vanquished quarry by her side, removing her sandals, as she prepares for her bath, with nymphs also bathing and another pair in far background retrieving fallen deer. Scene on bottom of action is signed "G", and the two lockplate scenes are signed by "Galeazzi", most likely Angelo, highly regarded master engraver, who made a specialty of depicting Diana in his work. He captures texture and detail exceptionally well, almost photographically, and the engraving of this fine gun is close to perfection. Single beaded trigger guard has scroll matching that on action. SN is on tang. Nicely stump figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/8" over checkered wood butt, and features drop points and closely spaced point pattern checkering with line borders. Matching slight beavertail ejector forend has Anson release, and Famars gold shield inlet on central and checkered diamond. Bore diameter: left -.568, right - .568. Bore restrictions: left - .003 (skeet), right - .002 (skeet). Drop at heel: 2-1/8", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Cast: Neutral. Weight: 6 lbs. 0 oz. LOP: 14-1/8". Tan leather case with stitched leather corners is lined in scarlet velvet and contains straps and a key. CONDITION: Excellent, essentially as new, with only the faintest of handling and assembly marks on wood and metal finishes. Mechanically crisp, appears to have had very little firing since proof, with only slight halos on breechface. Case leather has a few rubs. Interior cloth is slightly soiled. A great handling high art gun. 50819-18 MGM176 (45,000-65,000)