GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
SUPERB 28 GAUGE BERTUZZI MANUAL COCKING HAMMER GAME SHOTGUN WITH SUPERB FOLIATE SCROLL AND DETAILED NORTHEASTERN USA GAME SCENES BY DASSA WITH CASE.BERTUZZISXS BEST HAMMER608828GAW/CASEMODERNCal. 28 ga. 29" Finely struck chopper lump bbls with slightly raised, matted game rib are engraved "Flli Bertuzzi Italy" on top of left bbl. Bbl flats are stamped with 1997 Italian nitro proofs and with makers name and SN. Importer name and address (New England Arms, Kittery Point Maine) is marked on bottoms of bbls. Coin finished top lever action fitted with non-automatic safety, dbl triggers (front articulated), and having nicely carved fences and beads, is fitted with bar locks having serpentine hammers with tall spurs. Action is engraved with near full coverage very well cut relief scrolling acanthus with floral highlights which surrounds a scene of surprised spaniel in background, with woodcock in foreground flushing. Makers name is on riband over this scene. Lockplates are fully bulino engraved with other scenes of game in the New England woods; pair of woodcock settling into alder glade on left lock, and a pair of grouse, one perched on branch, the other flying across opening, are on right. Scenes are nicely detailed. Engravers signature, "Dassa" (highly regarded Mauro Dassa who has engraved many top flight guns), is on trigger plate. Single beaded trigger guard continues the theme of semi-relief acanthus. Exhibition quality wonderfully marbled and fiddle figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-3/4" over checkered wood butt with rounded steel heel and toe plates engraved to match action. Rounded drop points are behind locks, and closely spaced well cut checkering is at grip. Matching long splinter forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: left -.544, right - .544. Bore restrictions: left - .023 (full), right - .012 (mod). Drop at heel: 2-7/16", drop at comb: 1-5/16". Cast about 1/4" off. Weight: 5 lbs. 12 oz. LOP: 14-3/4". Brown leather case with brass corners, by Nizzoli, is lined in burgundy cloth and has oval tan leather Bertuzzi label stitched into lid. Case contains a gold plated round oil bottle and a cleaning brush. PROVENANCE: Consignors notes. CONDITION: Excellent, essentially as new, with scant evidence of having been fired since proof. Mechanically excellent. Case is excellent. With the Bertuzzi brothers retired from gunmaking a few years ago, the likes of this superb small bore long barreled hammer gun wil never be produced again. The late Michael McIntosh in "Gamefield Classics" includes the Bertuzzi 28 gauge hammer gun in his list of the top ten game guns he would like to own. 52433-1 MGM235 (25,000-40,000)