April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
For the connoisseur of fine doubles, the Boss 28 gauge is amongst the most coveted and desirable of all the brand name sporting shotguns. This exceptional example was delivered to Abercrombie and Fitch in March of 1968 and sold in September of 1968 to a man by the name of Vince Akers of Baltimore, MD, according to Griffin and Howe research records (A full Griffin and Howe research letter was not available at the time of cataloging). The gun appears to be in near mint original condition throughout. Made with straight hand stock with unengraved gold shield, the grain shows fabulous fiddleback and marble cake swirl towards butt, well shaped drop points behind lockplates, and terminates with a checkered butt. Petite, case hardened, nicely filed, sidelock action features automatic safety ("SAFE" inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, and Boss’s celebrated non-selective single trigger. Action and lockplates are engraved with well cut, small scroll, and rose bouquets in classic Boss fashion. Lockplates are engraved “Boss & Co”. Trigger plate is engraved “Boss Patent No 22894". Blued top lever and small bow single beaded trigger guard are engraved with matching scroll. Serial number is engraved at grip in scroll with shaded background. Original matching splinter forend, with Deeley release, is checkered in a 3-point pattern and engraving matches perfectly. Barrels with narrow file cut top rib and are marked with "Boss & Co. / 13/14. Cork Street. London W.I." Bottom rib under forend engraved "Made in England". Barrel flats show proper provisional proof marks with 2-3/4" chamber markings and bore diameter of .550 on each flat, proofed for 3 tons. Barrels are chopper lump barrels and are 26" long and still display original strike marks at breach ends! Housed in what appears to be its original brown leather, maroon felt lined toe-under case from Boss and Co. with proper makers label. CONDITION: Extremely fine, likely test fired only, and retaining 97-99% original finish throughout. Stocks are superb and retain nearly all of their original finish with beautiful open pores and checkering slightly darkened. Action retains more than 98% bold original case colors, just barely beginning to thin on bottom at carry point and high edges, but basically bold and vivid throughout. Barrels retain virtually all of their original blue with brilliant shiny bores. The case is in excellent original condition with a few minor handling marks and minute soiling to the felt interior. The gun has seen very little use and remains in an incredible state of preservation. These guns are highly coveted by collectors and investors alike and it will likely be many many years before another of this quality comes along for sale.
Barrel Wall Thickness
.030 (both barrels)
Internal Bore Diameter
.550 (both barrels)