GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
SUPERB QUALITY SIDELOCK EJECTOR HEAVY GAME GUN BY GALAND. GALAND SXS SLE 23909 12 GA MODERN; C&R (1925) Cal. 12 ga. 3-3/8" Chambers. A classic example of why one should buy the gun and not the name, this exceptionally well made Belgian shotgun has 28-3/8" dovetailed steel bbls, which are very finely struck. They are fitted with slightly raised, hand matted, concave game rib with small area unmatted and engraved "Galand Ft Bte". Bbl flats are stamped with 1925 Belgian nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Bottoms of bbls are marked with SN and "Compressed Steel". Robust, case hardened, sidelock action features non-automatic safety (S inlaid in gold), hidden third fastener, bushed strikers, slightly reinforced bar, and dbl triggers (front articulated). Action and lockplates are engraved with near full coverage exceptionally well cut large scrolling acanthus with floral highlights in a background of small shaded scroll within some geometric borders, on lockplates. Engravers signature "H Corombolle" is on trigger plate. Blued top lever and trigger guard are also scroll engraved. SN is on trigger guard tang. Finely fiddle figured and lightly streaked European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-5/8" over checkered wood butt with hard rubber heel and toe plates on nicely matched 1-9/16" lengthening piece. Well cut, flat top, borderless checkering is at grip, and individual gold initials "JM" are inlet on toe line. Matching splinter, ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: left -.730, right - .729. Bore restrictions: left - .025 (Imod), right - .011 (lt mod). Wall thickness: left - .028, right - .026. Drop at heel: 2-3/8", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Cast: approx 1/8" off. Weight: 7 lbs. 6 oz. LOP: 14-5/8". PROVENANCE: Remarkable William Larkin Moore Private Estate Collection of Fine Sporting Arms. CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refinished. Bbls retain over 90% orig blue with numerous light marks and scratches, some a bit deep. Action retains 70 - 80% orig case hardening color, silvering on beads, thinning on bottom. Lockplates retain nearly all of their color. Top lever is slightly silvered at thumbpiece. Blue of trigger guard is thinning a bit on bow, and lightly silvered on tang. Stocks retain nearly all of a hand rubbed oil finish applied at time of fitting of lengthening piece, which is blended into orig finish toward action. Checkering lightly worn. Bores are excellent with some slight striations. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. A lovely robust gun. 50594-45 MGM222 (7,000-10,000)