April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
Lebeau Courally has a stellar world wide reputation of building some of the finest guns and rifles of all time. This svelte (7 lbs 12 oz) rifle has 24 - 1/2" dovetailed barrels fitted with matted quarter rib holding single flip-up express rear sight. Transition to mid rib has feather engraving matching front ramp holding silver bead. Tops of barrels are engraved "LEBEAU COURALLY" and "ARMES DE GRAND LUXE - LIEGE". Barrel flats and bottoms of barrels are stamped with 1983 Belgian nitro proofs for 9.3x74R at 3000 Bar, and controllers stamp "F" for Joseph Scholtissen, post 1974. A sling loop is screwed to bottom of barrels. Coin finished small sized sidelock action features non-automatic safety (S inlaid in gold), hidden third fastener, bushed strikers, small reinforcing side bolsters, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and blued double triggers (front articulated). Action and lockplates are engraved with full coverage baroque pattern of rose and other floral highlights interspersed with ribbons and banners, all in small shaded scroll background. Central scroll motif on floorplate is flanked by semi-relief cinquefoil vines and flowers. This treatment extends to side bolsters and fences as well as top lever thumb piece. Floral and scroll elements are also on trigger guard. The execution of this work is very well done. Engravers signature "R. Capece", noted Browning custom shop engraver, is on trigger plate. Nicely stump figured European walnut flared pistol grip buttstock measures 14 - 5/8" over skip line checkered wood butt. Drop points are nicely fluted, and well cut point pattern checkering is at grip. A sling loop matching that on barrels is on toe line. Matching small beavertail ejector forend has Anson release. Interior of iron is also scroll engraved. Weight: 7 lbs 12 oz. CONDITION: Excellent, very close to new, with only a very few light handling and assembly marks on metal, and a few minor marks in wood finish. It appears that during the making of this rifle, toe of buttstock was slightly damaged with minor repaired crack and small quarter inch by eighth inch epoxy patch at tip. Bores are excellent. Mechanically excellent. Replacement value on this gun is well over $100,000 today! A well balanced, snappy, little rifle most likely made for wild boar. MGM 21. CORRECTION: This rifle has been identified by the maker as a spurious copy. While a fantastically made double rifle, serial number 59 does not coincide with factory records, and is likely a Belgium or Austrian copy.
Drop at Heel
Approx 2 - 13/16"
Manufacturer
Lebeau Courally
Model
SxS Best Double Rifle