GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
EXQUISITE QUALITY HIGH CONDITION 32" BARRELED 20 GAUGE EJECTOR GAME SHOTGUN BY L. BRANCQUAERT OF BRUSSELS WITH EXTRA 28" BARRELS AND LO'M CASE.BRANCOUARTSxS7415202 BBL SET W/CASEMODERN; C&R; ESA(on action) (pre 1922) Cal. 20 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. Although not a household name, guns made by Brancquaert attained fame in the late 19th and early 20th century in the pigeon ring, and are known today as some of the finest ever made by those who appreciate good shotguns. This unusual small gauge example has 32" and 28" chopper lump bbls, both with slightly raised matted concave game ribs with ivory beads, and are engraved "L. Brancquaert" and "Bruxelles" on tops. Bbl flats of 32" bbls are stamped with Belgian nitro proofs without date letter, and are stamped with choke information, SNs, and cockerel steel logos, and are engraved "COMPRESSED STEEL". 28" Bbl flats are stamped with 1988 London nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers, and engraved with SN. Case hardened sideplated boxlock action features non-automatic safety (S inlaid in gold), hidden third fastener, side clips, reinforced frame and dbl triggers (front articulated). Action is engraved with near full coverage very nicely cut rose and scroll within geometric borders. Sideplates, floorplate, top lever, and trigger guard are charcoal blued and also engraved with small scroll and large whorls of roses, etc around pins. Nicely streaked and lightly figured very dense dark European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-3/8" over brown leather covered pad. Point pattern checkering on diamond grip is exceptionally well done, cleanly cut, and with small uncheckered diamonds left at inner points on sides, at top of grip, and at apex on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend with Anson release has wonderfully finished checkering, matching buttstock. 32" BBLS: Bore diameter: left -.630, right - .627. Bore restrictions: left - .038 (extra full), right - .020 (mod). Wall thickness: left - .033, right - .031. Drop at heel: 2-1/16", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Cast: approx 1/4 off. Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". 28" BBLS: Bore diameter: left -.622, right - .622. Bore restrictions: left - .019 (mod), right - .012 (lt mod). Wall thickness: left - .039, right - .038. Drop at heel: 2-1/8", drop at comb: 1-1/2"-. Cast: approx 1/4 off. Weight: 6 lbs. 11 oz. LOP: 14-3/8". Gun is accompanied by its orig leg o' mutton case with space for both sets of bbls. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain nearly all of what appears to be their orig blue, but is possibly a re-blue done with very little polishing. Action retains 50 - 60% orig muted case hardening color, strong where protected. Sideplates, floorplate, and top lever retain 80 - 90% of their orig bright blue with some light marks and a few scratches on floorplate. Trigger guard retains more than half of its orig blue. Stocks retain essentially all of their orig hand rubbed oil finish which is a bit dry, have not seen any added oil. Checkering is still clean, and very lightly worn. Bores are excellent. Action has just a hint of looseness with 32" bbls, and is a touch off face. 28" Bbls are tight and on face. Ejectors are in time. Case is good with some scuffs, top strap re-stitched, other straps and hinges intact. 53198-2 mgm160 (7,000-10,000)