GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
WELL CRAFTED GOLD INLAID JOHN WILKES "DELUXE" BOXLOCK EJECTOR DANGEROUS GAME DOUBLE RIFLE.JOHN WILKESDBL RIFLE13556450/400MODERN; C&RCal. 450/400 3" Jeffery. 24" Chopper lump bbls are fitted with file cut quarter rib having square shouldered dolls head extension which holds one standing, two folding leaf express rear sight. Sunken mid rib is gold inlaid "John Wilkes" and engraved "79, Beak Street, London" as well as "Cal 450/400" in gold. Matching front ramp fitted with slip-on sight protector, has gold bead. Bbl flats are stamped with 1982 London nitro proofs for 450/ 400 3". A sling eye is soldered to bottom rib. Case hardened heavy boxlock action features non-automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), sliding bite third fastener, disc set strikers, side clips, and dbl triggers. Action is engraved with 80% coverage nicely cut scroll within gold line borders. This fine scroll surrounds semi-relief gold inlaid renditions of members of "the big five" under "John Wilkes" also in gold on each side of action; cape buffalo bull on left, and large horned white rhino on right. Fences are relief carved in acanthus motif. Blued floorplate is gold inlaid "John Wilkes" "450/ 400" "London". Side panels of stock are fitted with ornamental sideplates having scroll and gold borders matching action. Blued trigger guard has more scroll outlined by intricate looped and scrolled gold wire. SN is in gold on tang which extends to steel grip cap engraved and gold inlaid matching remainder of gun. Intricately stump figured and somewhat mottled European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock is traditionally styled with drop points, point pattern checkering, and right hand shadow line cheekpiece, and measures 15-3/4" over Silver type pad. A vacant gold oval and sling eye are on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release, and there is some scroll engraving on inside of iron. Drop at heel: approx 2-7/8", drop at comb: approx 1-7/8". Cast: approx 1/4 off. Weight: 9 lbs. 6 oz. LOP: 15-3/4". CONDITION: Excellent, appears essentially unfired since proof, with only a few light handling and assembly marks on all surfaces. There is some water spotting evident on butt. Bores are excellent. Mechanically excellent. A well balanced showy double rifle in a great caliber. 53052-9 mgm130 (25,000-35,000)