Page 367 - 4090-BOOK3

LOT 3677
Outstanding Engraved and Gold Inlaid Parker
Brothers 16 Gauge Neil Hermsen Upgraded A1-S
Grade Double Barrel Shotgun - Serial no. 214603, 16 gauge, 32 inch solid
rib bbl., blue/casehardened/gold finish, walnut stock. Originally manufactured in
1925 as a GHE Grade gun and subsequently masterfully upgraded by highly regarded gunsmith
Neil Hermsen of North Carolina. Blued steel barrels with dual white bead sights on the matted solid rib
which is marked “PARKER BROS. MAKERS. MERIDEN. CT.U.S.A. PEERLESS STEEL”, beautiful wedges of scroll engraving
at either breech extending 2 1/2 inches towards the muzzles, and chambers measured 2 3/4 inches with automatic ejectors. The casehardened action displays the bulk of the outstanding work performed by Hermsen, showing work of the highest quality. The action has beautifully carved fences and is fully covered with attractive tight
scrollwork along with gold inlaid bird scenes on the left, right, and underside. The left side has a mallard in flight over some reeds, the right has a grouse in flight over a field, and the underside
shows a setter with a woodcock in its mouth. The scroll engraving then continues from the action onto the toplever, triggerguard, and both tangs, the bottom of which has the serial number inlaid in gold. The jewelled watertable retains the original markings and has been marked “HERMSEN REPRODUCTION A1S”. The gun features gold double triggers and a tang mounted manual
safety with gold inlaid “S” marking. Exceptionally figured, fancy fleur-de-lis checkered forend with engraved fittings and round knob pistol grip stock with carved flats, gold cap on the grip, and checkered bare butt surrounded by a blued and engraved skeleton buttplate. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .674/.671 inches; choke constriction
.034/.031 inches; minimum wall thickness .015/.018 inches; 1 5/8 inch drop at comb; 2 15/16 inch drop at heel; 14 1/8 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 14 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine overall as masterfully upgraded by Neil Hermsen, retaining 99% blue/casehardened and gold finishes with minor handling evidence, some slight varnish loss at the rear of the forend, and sharp checkering on the wood. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
LOT 3678
Fantastic Engraved and Gold Inlaid Parker Brothers A1-Special Upgrade Double Barrel Shotgun with Case - Serial
no. 163595, 12 gauge, 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened/gold finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1913 as a VH
Grade gun and subsequently highly embellished and transformed into the current A1-Special configuration. Blued steel barrels with a single
bead sight on the matted concave solid rib which is marked “PARKER BROTHERS. MAKERS. MERIDEN. CONN. VULCAN STEEL”, 1 7/8 inch wedges of
floral scroll engraving at either breech, 1 1/2 inch wedges of scroll at either muzzle, and 2 1/2 inch chambers with a single extractor. The casehardened action displays
fantastic carved fences as well as superb full coverage floral scroll engraving surrounding gold inlaid “Parker Bros.” on the underside. The engraving continues onto the toplever, triggerguard, and both tangs tying together the decoration on the piece. The gun features a pair of triggers and a tang mounted automatic safety switch with gold inlaid “S” marking.
Exceptionally well-figured, fancy checkered forend with engraved fittings and pistol grip stock with checkered and fleur-de-lis carved flats, factory hard rubber grip cap, and blued and
engraved skeleton buttplate surrounding a checkered bare butt. Includes an oak & leather case with reproduction Parker label and cleaning tools. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore
diameter nine inches from the breech .731/.731 inches; choke constriction .005/.026 inches; minimum wall thickness .028/.028 inches; 1 3/8 inch drop at comb; 2 inch drop at heel; 13 15/16
inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 6 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally upgraded, retaining 99% blue, casehardened, and gold finishes with minor handling evidence and sharp checkering on the stock and forend with a
repaired crack through the forend at the forend iron. The case is very good with some mild wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000 365