GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
SUPERB EARLY 20 GAUGE BROWNING SUPERPOSED SHOTGUN "FIGHTING COCKS" "GRADE III" ENGRAVED BY FELIX FUNKEN WITH EXTRA BARRELS AND TOLEX CASE. BROWNING SUPERPOSED OU GRADE III 2 BBL 8559 20 GA MODERN (1955) Cal. 20 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. 26-1/2" and 28" Bbls with narrow, matted, ventilated ribs and only St. Louis addresses, are marked with SN and "1" (28") or "2" (26-1/2") on left sides breech ends of bottom bbls. Set "1" is marked for mod and full chokes, and "2" for IC and skeet (minus sign has "S" struck over). Coin finished action with non-automatic safety and gold-plated single selective trigger is engraved in "Grade III" style with well cut, varying sized classic scroll within stamped heart borders surrounding vignettes of game; pair of fighting black game cocks with harem of females watching, on left, and large group of pheasant, mostly standing and feeding, on right. Bottom of action has fine portrait of spaniel retrieving a duck. This tasteful engraving is by the revered Felix Funken whose signature appears on the bottom of both bird scenes. Well streaked European walnut long tang round knob buttstock measures 14-1/4" over Browning embossed horn buttplate, and features well cut point pattern checkering at grip with double line borders. Each bbl set is fitted with its own field type forend, which match well. BBL set "1" 28": Bore diameter: top -.612, bottom - .612. Bore restrictions: top - .035 (full), bottom - .015 (mod). Drop at heel: 2-3/8", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Cast: Neutral. Weight: 6 lbs. 10 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". BBL set "2" 26-1/2": Bore diameter: top -.612, bottom - .610. Bore restrictions: top - .007 (IC), bottom - .002 (skeet). Drop at heel: 2-7/16", drop at comb: 1-9/16". Cast: Neutral. Weight: 6 lbs. 8 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". What is most likely orig Tolex case has space for action and both bbl sets, is lined in royal blue cloth, and contains a key. PROVENANCE: Remarkable William Larkin Moore Private Estate Collection of Fine Sporting Arms. CONDITION: Excellent, original, near new. Bbls have only a few light handling and assembly marks. Coin finish of action is excellent, bright, with only a few small dings. Stocks are excellent with some light marks and scratches, checkering still light in color. Breechfaces show little evidence of firing. Bores are excellent. Mechanically crisp. Case exterior is excellent with some rubs and nicks, hardware somewhat frosted. Interior cloth is very fine with some rubs and compressions. A wonderful closet queen from the 1950's. 50594-100 MGM126 (8,500-13,500)