GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
UNUSUAL 20 BORE TOP LEVER DRILLING BY W. COLLATH.W. COLLATHDRILLING1794420/20/8x72R (?)MODERN; C&RCal. 20/ 20/ 8x72R (?) 2-1/2" Chambers. 26-3/4" Bbls with full length matted rib have pop-up rear sight and varying sized front sight beads on a rocker. Rib is also fitted with claw scope bases. Tops of bbls are engraved with steel type, "Whittner Excelsior", and side of left bbl with makers name and address. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with pre WWI German nitro proofs for 20 ga. Sling loop is soldered to bottom bbl. Collath patent blitz type action has automatic safety (button) on top tang and shotgun/ rifle selector as a knurled head toggle switch mounted at right front of trigger guard bow. Action is very nicely engraved with near full coverage small scroll with semi-relief rose bouquet highlights within geometric borders. Fences are deeply carved with scroll and acanthus. Trigger guard is of horn. Well figured European walnut horn capped pistol grip buttstock measures 13-1/2" over plain horn buttplate, and features right hand cheekpiece, point pattern checkering, and an engraved steel cartridge trap on toe line which holds three cartridges. Splinter forend has Deeley release. Bore diameter: left -.639, right - .639. Bore restrictions: left - .050 (extra full), right - .020 (mod). Wall thickness: left - .029, right - .029. Drop at heel: 2-3/8", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Cast 1/2" off. Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz. LOP: 13-1/2". CONDITION: Very good to fine, as partially restored. Bbls retain nearly all of a good quality re-black. Action retains traces of its orig case hardening color where protected, is mostly a rather bright silver. Stocks retain most of an oil refinish, edges rounded, checkering not re-cut and is considerably worn. Finish treatment of buttplate is unknown and is smooth. Shotgun bores are excellent, lightly frosted. Rifle bore is fine, with light pitting toward breech end. Action is a bit loose. This unusual late Collath exhibits their normal high quality. 51872-58 MGM86 (2,000-2,500)