GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
SUPERB BOSS & CO. ROUND BODY LIGHTWEIGHT GAME GUN WITH CASE AND EXTRA SET OF BARRELS.BOSSBEST ROUND BODY SIDELOCK802112 GAMODERN; C&R(ca. 1932) Cal. 12 Ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. This exceptionally fine gun, made as one of a pair, as denoted by gold inlaid six pointed star on action, barrels, and forend tip, has extra set of barrels (made during late 1960's), with Boss at Cork Street address (five-pointed star). Both sets of bbls are 27" long with 2-3/4" chambers. Original chopper lump bbls are engraved "Boss & Co. Albemarle Street, Piccadilly, London. W." and "Made in England" on narrow concave game rib. Bbl flats have London nitro proofs stamped 2-5/8. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN. Newer dovetailed bbls (5-pointed star) are engraved "Boss & Co. 13/ 14. Cork. Street. London. W. 1." on rib. Bbl flats have London proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. SN is stamped on bottoms of bbls, and later Boss production no. "9424" is on rear lump. Bottom rib is engraved "Made in England". Rounded bar sidelock double trigger action has automatic safety ("Safe" inlaid in gold) and bushed strikers. Action and lockplates are engraved in Boss house style with beautifully cut small shaded scroll, outlining 16 rose bouquets, as is typical of the finest work of Jack Sumner, noted Boss engraver. "Boss & Co" is on each lockplate. Matching single beaded trigger guard has SN relief engraved on long tang. Lightly marbled and nicely fiddle figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-9/16" over checkered wood butt, and features 22 LPI point pattern checkering with mullered borders. There is a vacant silver oval on toe line which has typical elegant Boss concave sweep. Matching splinter forend has Anson release, and is fitted with Boss's patent ejectors. Orig bbls: Bore diameter: left -.733, right -.733. Bore restrictions: left -.005, right -.001. Wall thickness: left -.021, right -.021. Drop at heel: 2-3/8", drop at comb: 1-5/8". Weight: 5 lbs. 13.8 oz, LOP 14-9/16". Later bbls (5 point star: Bore diameter: left -.728, right -.728. Bore restrictions: left -.002, right -.002. Wall thickness: left -.024, right -.032. Weight: 5 lbs. 13.8 oz. Makers leather case is lined in maroon cloth, with Boss' Dover Street label, "Dover Street" has been crossed out. There is a secondary label with instructions on mounting forend with ejectors. Case contains pair of snap caps, J. Purdey marked square oil bottle, walnut and brass 2-pc cleaning rod with mop and jag, and two keys. There is only room for one set of bbls in case. PROVENANCE: Copy of record of 1941 and 1942 purchase and sale from Abercrombie & Fitch. Robert Gaylord Trust Collection. CONDITION: Excellent, as refurbished. Orig bbls retain essentially all of London quality re-black. Engraving on rib is clear. Later bbls retain nearly all of what appears to be their original blue. Action retains essentially all of a fine St. Ledger re-color. Buttstock appears to be a factory replacement, done at time the new bbls were made, and retains most of a fine hand rubbed oil finish. Forend has new finish to match, checkering lightly worn and somewhat gummed with oil. Action is tight, and bbls are on face with both sets of bbls, with top lever well left of center. Bores are excellent. Ejectors are in time. Case is very good. Leather is slightly discolored and cracked, especially at right side of lid, which is loose and needs stabilizing. Handle is partially detached. Interior cloth is fine with a few marks in areas rubbed through from contact with gun. Partitions are tight. Label is very fine, slightly foxed. Accessories are fine. A fine, fast, lightweight gun. 51781-1 MGM113 (25,000-45,000)