May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/29/2020
(ca 1911) 27" Chopper lump barrels fitted with file cut quarter rib holds one standing, one folding leaf rear sight and scope blocks. Silver bead is in matching front ramp. Tops of barrels are engraved "WILLIAM EVANS, (FROM PURDEY'S)" "63. Pall Mall, St. James's London." Barrel flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for .280, and with serial numbers. Heavy splinter is stamped "4". Sling eye is soldered to bottom rib. Case hardened Webley long bar PHV-1 boxlock action features non-automatic safety, pivoting third fastener engaging square shouldered dolls head rib extension, bushed strikers, side clips, and double triggers. Action is engraved with 60% coverage well cut varying sized scroll. "William Evans" is on each side. Scroll engraved top lever, floorplate, and trigger guard are blued. Serial number is on trigger guard tang which extends to steel grip cap. Lightly streaked and fiddle figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14 - 1/2" over Silver type pad. Point pattern checkering is at grip. A sling eye and vacant silver oval are on toe line. Matching splinter forend has forward pivoting lever release. A Schmidt & Bender 1-1/2-6x30mm rail scope with three post and crosshair reticle attaches to barrels with QD mounts. Rifle is housed in an old leather case with leather corners lined in green cloth. A reproduction Evans label is in lid along with a target shot at 100 yards, with this rifle, showing exceptionally fine group. Case contains snap caps, cleaning equipment, and the original sight cover with two beads. Weight: 10 lbs 2 oz. CONDITION: Fine, as partially refinished. Barrels retain nearly all of a "best" reblack. Action retains 30-40% original case hardening color. Blued parts have most of their blue. Stocks have an old refinish with subsequent light marks and scratches, checkering has not been re-cut. Pad and spacer are relatively new. Bores are excellent, bright, sharp and shiny throughout. Action is tight. Barrels are on face. Case is good. Interior renewed. With a very high quality scope! The .280 was very popular before World War I due to its very high velocity. Its varying performance on game, mostly due to bullet design, caused its lack of popularity later. With modern bullets it can be a very effective cartridge. JSL
Manufacturer
William Evans