GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
UNIQUE PARALLEL BARREL PIGEON SHOTGUN BY ELLIS BROTHERS WITH EXTENSIVE GOLD, SILVER, AND PLATINUM STOCK INLAYS.ELLIS BROTHERSSxS302712MODERN; C&RCal. 12 ga. 2-5/8" Chambers. 30" Fine Damascus bbls are laid parallel with no convergence and are devoid of ribs through mid section. 6" Rib at rear with dolls head extension is fully scroll engraved, and also engraved "Ellis Bros Makers, 16, St. Mary's Row, Birmingham". It has a 3" rosewood forward extension with inlet gold figures of two birds, a heart, and a shamrock. 2" Stub of rib joining muzzles has gold faced bead set in red gold foliate base. Bottom portion is overlaid with geometrical silver decorations. Bbl flats are stamped with Birmingham nitro proofs and subsequent 1985 London re-proofs for 2-1/2" chambers. Boxlock action with automatic safety (S inlaid in gold) has double triggers. Action is engraved with near full coverage well cut varying sized shaded scroll. "Ellis Bros" is on each side. Scroll engraved trigger guard has SN on tang. Superbly marbled and nicely stump figured European walnut deep rounded pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/4" over wooden butt with large PLATINUM heel and toe plates, engraved with large well done scroll matching action. At center there is a large silver (?) diamond with cloisonne red and white borders surrounding central blue cloisonne rectangle with monogram "NGS" (?). Stock with flat top grip checkering and small drop points to side panels, has other interesting silver and gold decoration with gold pigeons on each side panel, a large vacant silver shield on ball of grip, another silver shield with relief royal cipher of lion passant over a crown with date "1918" at rear of comb, along with another shield on toe line with initials "WP" (?). A small gold heart is inlet at rear of top tang. Matching forend with Anson release is also considerably adorned with engraved silver decorations on sides matching silver forend tip, and other gold inlays with a snipe at front, and duck at rear, backgrounds of each are outlined by checkering, and are obviously original. There is also a central gold shield engraved with scene of hunter and dog. Bore diameter: left -.730, right - .730. Bore restrictions: left - .034 (full), right - .034 (full). Wall thickness: left - .034, right - .032. Drop at heel: 2-1/16", drop at comb: 1-1/2"-. Cast: approx 1/8 off. Weight: 6 lbs. 13 oz. LOP: 14-1/4". CONDITION: Good, as partially refinished. Bbls retain a very fine re-brown, most likely done at time of re-proofing, with excellent definition to Damascus pattern. Action is mostly pewter gray patina with traces of color where protected. Stocks have old oil refinish with numerous light and heavy marks, checkering somewhat worn, especially on forend. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Mechanically fine. This gun is certainly off-the-wall, and worthy of further research. 53198-3 mgm161 (5,000-8,000)