GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
"GOLDEN AGE" JOHN WILKES "BEST" BOXLOCK EJECTOR GAME SHOTGUN.J. WILKESSXS BEST BOXLOCK1501212 GAMODERN; C&R(ca 1938) Cal. 12 ga. 2-1/2" Chambers. 28" Dovetailed steel bbls are engraved "John Wilkes 79 Beek Street, Regent Street London, W. 1." on narrow, swamped game rib. Bbl flats are stamped with 1938/39 Birmingham nitro proofs for 2-1/2" chambers. SNs are on bottoms of bbls. Case hardened boxlock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold) and dbl triggers. Action is engraved with 80% coverage well cut open shaded scroll within line and geometric borders. "John Wilkes" is on scrolled riband on each side of action. Scroll engraved trigger guard has SN on tang. Nicely streaked European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-7/8" over hand checkered hard rubber buttplate. Stock also features nicely shaped drop points, flat top point pattern checkering at grip, and a vacant silver oval on toe line. Matching splinter Southgate ejector forend has Anson release. Bore diameter: left -.731, right - .732. Bore restrictions: left - .040 (mod), right - .013 (lt mod). Wall thickness: left - .028, right - .028. Drop at heel: 2-1/8", drop at comb: 1-1/2". Cast: neutral. Weight: 6 lbs. 4 oz. LOP: 14-7/8". CONDITION: Fine, as partially refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a London quality "best" black, with some light marks. Action retains 30 - 40% orig case hardening color, balance pewter gray. Top lever, forend iron, floorplate, trigger plate, and trigger guard re-blued, retaining 80 - 90% of that blue over some light pits and marks, engraving somewhat softened. Stocks retain nearly all of a hand rubbed oil finish over a number of dents and dings, with some subsequent light marks, checkering competently re-cut. Bores are very fine with some very light frosting. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. A good solid working gun with good measurements. 53075-5 mgm1 (3,500-4,500)