GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
EXCEPTIONALLY RARE AND FINE, AS FOUND, "EE" GRADE ANTIQUE REMINGTON MODEL 1894 SHOTGUN.REMINGTONSXS 189410318712 GACal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. This exceptionally rare gun with only 17 grade "E" Remington's known to Charles Semmer, at the time of the writing of his book on Remington doubles, has 30" steel bbls with flat, matted rib, engraved "Remington Arms Co." and "Ilion, N.Y. U.S.A." on tops. Bbl flats are stamped with SN and "50" and "45" are on bottom of lump. Grade is stamped on each bbl. Case hardened boxlock action with automatic safety (SAFE engraved) and typical top fastener is fitted with double triggers. Like all grade "E" Remington's, engraving on this gun is one off, with full coverage very nicely cut shaded scroll within some geometric and scroll borders surrounding finely detailed vignettes of game birds and other interesting scenes; lLeft side depicts a pair of flushing snipe at center, with circular vignette of standing woodcock (or snipe?) at rear. Right side depicts a pair of geese, one standing, one swimming, at center, with a flying goose at rear. A fine portrait of a pointer is at front of trigger plate, with an unusual scene of running stag being chased by hound at rear. "Remington Arms Co" is engraved on each side of action. Blued top lever and trigger guard are also near fully engraved with scroll. SN is on trigger guard tang. Attractive, nicely marbled and well stump figured European (most likely Circassian) walnut fluted horn capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14" over ribbed horn buttplate with short spur. Side panels with arrowhead drop points are checkered and surrounded by scroll terminated line borders. Point pattern grip checkering has more closely spaced fancy outline flourishes toward comb separated from main body of checkering by thin ribbon. Fluted comb is very thin. A gold oval on toe line is engraved "E. E. Darling Salt Lake City Utah". Matching splinter ejector forend with Anson release has fancy pattern checkering with scroll ribbon separating front portion from more closely spaced rear portion. Bore diameter: left -.738, right - .738. Bore restrictions: left - .033 (full), right - .026 (Imod). Wall thickness: left - .029, right - .031. Drop at heel: 2-3/4", drop at comb: 1-5/8". Cast: neutral. Weight: 7 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 14". Elmer Elsworth Darling (1863-1937) was a wealthy Salt Lake City businessman with interests in real estate, insurance, and automotive interests. He developed the "Tire Alarm" for the purpose of warning of tire pressure loss in automobiles. Accompanied by a 3-ring binder of materials regarding Mr. Darling's life, business interests and patents. PROVENANCE: Handed down directly through the Darling Family until 2013 purchase. CONDITION: Excellent, as found. Bbls retain 80 - 85% orig blue, considerably silvered on sides from normal hand wear, with a number of light marks overall. Action retains 55 - 65% orig case hardening color, vivid where protected, turning to bright silver at normal wear areas. There is no pitting or staining present. Top lever and trigger guard retain about half of their orig blue. Stocks retain 80 - 90% orig hand rubbed finish, with a number of marks, both light and heavy. Checkering is lightly worn. Horn of orig buttplate shows some chipping and rubs. There are some cracks in stock at rear of top tang and two incipient cracks either side of tang at safety area, which do not flex. Bores are excellent, lightly frosted. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. A truly wonderful high grade example featured on the 3rd quarter cover of the Remington Collector's Journal. 50939-1 MGM205 (30,000-50,000)