GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
SVELTE AND SUBLIME .410 ABBIATICO & SALVINELLI OVER UNDER SHOTGUN WITH SUPERB BULINO AND SCROLL BY G. PEDRETTI.ABBIATICO & SALVINELLIOU627410GAMODERNCal. .410 ga. 3" Chambers. This lovely little gun made before the untimely death of Mario Abbiatico exhibits the pinnacle of work performed by this highly regarded firm. It has 26-1/4" beautifully struck demi-bloc bbls with narrow matted ventilated rib. "Abbiatico & Salvinelli" is in gold on left side of top bbl. Bottom bbl flat is stamped with 1979 Italian nitro proofs and first names of the craftsmen involved in this guns production, including Dante, Mario (Abbiatico), Poli, Remo (Salvinelli), and Tony. Diminutive low profile pinless sidelock OU action features non-automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), and single non-selective trigger. Gauge, SN and "&S" are in gold on left action flat, and "16" (possibly the number of actions made in this series) is in gold under top lever. Action is engraved with near full coverage beautifully designed and executed semi-relief scrolling acanthus with meticulously shaded background. This excellent scroll on action surrounds well detailed bulino scene of three quail flushing from beneath a gnarled old tree into clearing. Lockplates are engraved to the edges with other superbly rendered scenes, with a trio of grouse erupting from row of alders across an opening on left lockplate, and a pair of pheasant taking wing from a rocky hillside on right. Scenes are lifelike and backgrounds and skies are dramatic. This almost photographic attention to detail is what made Giancarlo and his son Stefano, among the most revered engravers in today's world. Front portion of grouse scene is signed "G. Pedretti" and this signature also appears on trigger plate with date "1983". Acanthus scroll continues onto single beaded small trigger guard bow. SN is in gold on tang. Exhibition quality wonderfully marbled and figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-3/8" over checkered wood butt. Very well cut borderless point pattern checkering is at grip. Stock also features nicely shaped drop points. Matching slightly swelled one piece forend has a hidden Anson type release actuated by relief cast Famars crest at center. "Abbiatico & Salvinelli" is in gold at bottom rear of iron. Bore diameter at muzzles: top -.384 (full), bottom - .398 (mod). Drop at heel: 2-1/8", drop at comb: 1-5/16". Cast very slightly off. Weight: 5 lbs. 7 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". PROVENANCE: Consignors (?) notes with some specifications of this gun. CONDITION: Excellent, very close to new, appears unfired since proof, with only a few scattered light handling marks in wood, and some assembly marks on bbls. Coin finish is darkening very slightly from oxidized oil, which tends to add to the dramatic background of game scenes. Although, essentially as new, bottom bbl will not cock, undoubtedly due to congealed oil. 52433-2 MGM225 (40,000-60,000)