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Presentation Cased Game
Scene Engraved, Gold Inlaid German Underlever Double
Barrel Sporting Gun with Cape Gun and Shotgun Barrel
Sets from A. Zimmer of Giessen - Serial no. 114, 16 gauge, 27 3/4 inch solid rib combination set and 29 3/8 inch solid rib shotgun set bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This fascinating sporting gun set came from the town of Giessen in Hesse, Germany, in the latter part of the 19th century and must have been a treasured set for a German sportsman given its fine ornamentation and the versatility it offered thanks to its combination rifle and shotgun “cape gun” barrel set installed or double barrel shotgun with the other set installed. It would have made the gun suitable for hunting basically any game in Europe. The cape gun set has a 28 bore rifled barrel on the right, a 16 bore smoothbore barrel on the left, a dovetailed German silver front sight, a dovetailed notch rear sight with set screw, “GUST-STAHL” in gold inlay towards the rear of the flat rib, a pair of silver bands at the breech end, an extractor, and “A.S.” marked on the underside of the left barrel. The 16 bore double barrel shotgun set has fine Damascus barrels, a German silver bead front sight, “BERNARD DAMAST” in gold inlay on the rib, pair of silver bands at the breech, and “114” (right) and “F” (left) on the underside of the barrels. Each barrel set has a sling swivel installed. The action is numbered “14” on the underside where it is covered by the horn mounted lever. The action features extensive Germanic leafy scroll engraving with textured backgrounds and fine detailing and accents including crosshatching, a detailed scene of a hind on the upper tang, and a sculpted trigger guard with another detailed scene of a stag and a scrolling horn extension. The back action locks are engraved en suite with a running hind on the left and a running stag on the right. The locks are signed “Z. ZIMMER” (right) and “IN GIESSEN” (left) in gold inlay behind the hammers. The right trigger is an adjustable single set trigger for use with the rifle barrel of the cape gun set, and the left trigger is plain. The gun is mounted with a checkered forearm and buttstock with an cheekpiece and steel buttplate numbered “114.” It comes in a fitted wood case with green baize lining along with a near complete set of reloading and cleaning accessories, including a “114” and “145” marked conical bullet mold and a 16 bore reloading tool. CONDITION: Fine with crisp engraving, 85% of the plum toned periord refurbished finish on the combination barrel set and brown finish on the shotgun set, 90% distinct Damascus patterns along the latter, bright gold inlaid markings, aged patina on the silver bands, smooth gray patina on the balance, and minor age and storage related wear, including some on the horn. The wood is also fine and has crisp checkering and generally minor wear. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are mostly very good with mostly mild age and storage related wear. Overall, a very nice and versatile cased set. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
400
LOT 1572
LOT 1573
Factory Game Scene Engraved Victor Sarasqueta Sidelock Double Rifle in 375 H&H Magnum with Scope Attributed to Elmer Keith - Serial no. A.M97135, 375 H&H magnum cal., 25 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue/coin finish, walnut stock. Blued steel barrels with a ramped beaded blade front sight, fixed rear sight and German style claw mounts holding a Weaver V4.5B scope on the raised rear quarter rib, and chambers with automatic ejectors. The coin finished sidelock action displays scroll engraving surrounding four game bird scenes with a flock of mallards in flight over
the water on the left, a covey of pheasant in a wooded scene on the right, a trio of mallards in flight
on the underside, and a standing crane on the triggerguard. The serial number on the barrels do not match
the action, though this appears to be factory as the set fits the action tightly. The rifle features bushed firing pins, double triggers, right hand
rolled triggerguard, and a tang mounted manual safety switch. Beautifully figured, multi-point checkered forend with engraved fittings and straight grip stock with carved drop points and a red rubber recoil pad. The consignor states that this rifle was bought from legendary American shooter and writer Elmer Keith, who was also known to be a connoisseur of fine double rifles. Length of pull 14 1/16 inches. Weight 8 lbs. 10 oz. (with scope).
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and coin finishes with limited minor handling evidence and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. The scope optics are clear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000