GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
RARE AND HIGH QUALITY FRANK NOVOTNY OF ST. PAUL MINNESOTA, 1904 PATENT BOXLOCK EJECTOR SINGLE TRIGGER TRAP OR PIGEON GUN. NOVOTNY SXS BLE 25 12 GA MODERN; C&R; IVORY Cal. 12 ga. 2-1/2" Chambers. This high quality gun appears to have been completely hand made by this obviously knowledgeable and gifted, but unsung, gunsmith of St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1904 he patented a boxlock gun action claiming higher efficiency by relocating hammer pivot pins, etc. It appears that this gun was made to his patent specifications with the addition of his also patented, single selective trigger. (No patent information found) It has 30" nicely struck dovetailed bbls engraved "FRANK NOVOTNY ST. PAUL MINN. (MAKER) WHITWORTH STEEL BARRELS" on matted concave game rib. There are 1-1/4" triangles of well cut scroll engraving at breech ends. Bbl flats and bottoms of bbls are devoid of any marks except Whitworth sheaf-of-wheat trademarks. Extractor system is unique with cam in front lump. (Both lumps are configured differently from that of any other gun this cataloger has examined.) Case hardened boxlock action is built without a safety, and features a hidden crossbolt third fastener and single selective trigger, with selector button in place of left trigger, gold inlaid "R" and "L". Bottom of action is engraved "FRANK NOVOTNYS PATENT SINGLE TRIGGER". Pivot pins for hammers, sears, and cocking arm, are uniquely placed. Action is nicely filed with serpentine fences, and cleanly engraved with 80% coverage well cut scroll with rose bouquet highlights` within geometric borders. "FRANK NOVOTNY" is in scrolled riband on each side of action. A gold pigeon is inlaid on top lever. Scroll engraved trigger guard has SN on tang. Beautifully marbled and nicely figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/4" over Silver type pad. Side panels with small drop points are checkered, and multi-point pattern checkering is at grip. A vacant gold oval is on toe line. Matching splinter forend with inlet steel tip has Deeley type release, and appears to be fitted with Southgate type ejectors. Bore diameter: left -.724, right - .726. Bore restrictions: left - .040 (full), right - .041 (full). Wall thickness: left - .042, right - .039. Drop at heel: 2-3/16", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Cast: Neutral. Weight: 8 lbs. 1 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". Ivory bead sight. PROVENANCE: Remarkable William Larkin Moore Private Estate Collection of Fine Sporting Arms. CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refinished. Bbls retain 90% of a high quality re-blue with some light subsequent flecking toward muzzles. Action retains a considerable amount, perhaps as much as 70%, orig case hardening color (percentage difficult to determine due to extensive engraving and the fact that it was not very strong when done). Trigger guard retains approx 10% of its orig blue. Stocks are very finely refinished with a high quality hand rubbed oil finish, checkering cleanly re-cut. Pad is new. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Trigger seems to work. A finely crafted rare American gun. 50594-5 MGM231 (4,500-7,500)