GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
HIGH QUALITY FRANCHI "IMPERIALE MONTE CARLO" SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN WITH EXTRA BARRELS AND CASE. FRANCHI SXS IMPERIAL MONTE CARLO 11882 12 GA MODERN; C&R Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. Two sets of 28" chopper lump bbls with slightly raised, concave, matted ribs, are marked "S - A. LUIGI FRANCHI - BRESCIA -" on left sides. Bbl flats are stamped with 1951 Italian nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Steel type (Poldi - Anticorro) is engraved on the bottom of each bbl. There is no way to differentiate between the two bbls, except by looking at choke markings on bbls, with one set marked 17.5 and 17.9 (Heavy), and the other 17.9, 18.1 (more open choked). Robust, coin finished sidelock action features non-automatic safety (SICURA engraved), bushed strikers, and dbl triggers (front articulated, trigger blades checkered). Action is beautifully polished and filed, but has minimal engraving, with only a fine line around lockplates and other features of action, and with feather bursts around pin heads. "S - A LUIGI FRANCHI" is inlaid in gold at bottom of left lock, and "BRESCIA" is on right. Bottom of action is engraved with Franchi name and address. Top lever and trigger guard are blued, as fine counterpoint to bright polish of action. Beautifully marbled and figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/4" over coarsely spaced checkered wood butt, and features drop points and well cut flat top borderless point pattern checkering at grip. Long matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release, and gold device with crown inlet on uncheckered central diamond, engraved with grade. Open Choked BBLS: Bore diameter: left -.723, right - .724. Bore restrictions: left - .016 (mod), right - .010 (IC). Wall thickness: left - .023, right - .026. Drop at heel: 2-3/16", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Cast: approx 1/2" off. Weight: 6 lbs. 10 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". Tighter choked BBLS: Bore diameter: left -.726, right - .725. Bore restrictions: left - .038 (full), right - .019 (Mod). Wall thickness: left - .025, right - .024. Drop at heel: 2-3/16", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Cast: approx 1/2" off. Weight: 6 lbs. 10 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". Green canvas case with leather corners is lined in green felt, and contains external straps and a key. PROVENANCE: Remarkable William Larkin Moore Private Estate Collection of Fine Sporting Arms. CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of what appears to be their orig blue. Polish of action remains bright, with only a hint of re-polish on bottom. Stocks retain nearly all of an old hand rubbed oil finish, checkering lightly worn. There is an incipient stress crack behind left lockplate, with some very small chips behind right. There are some light marks and scratches over all. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors are slightly out of time. It appears that the open choked bbls only need a small amount of attention for forend to fit. Case is excellent. A very nice high end gun from the 1950's, this model is still in production with a starting price of $35,000.00 with one set of bbls. 50594-78 MGM170 (8,000-12,000)