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LOT 519
Factory Engraved B. Searcy & Co. Boxlock Underlever Double Rifle in .470 Nitro Express - Serial no. BL-0023, 470 NE cal., 24 inch solid rib bbl., blue/ coin finish, walnut stock. Butch Searcy & Co. are likely the finest builders of double rifles in the United States, and this example of his work is a testament to his abilities which earned him his reputation for excellence. Built with blued steel barrels featuring a ramped beaded blade front sight, single standing leaf rear sight on the rear quarter rib which shows a fine flourish of scrollwork. single band of engraving at the breech, “B. SEARCY & CO. BORON CA. U.S.A.” marked on the right and “470 NITRO-EXPRESS” on the left, and chambers with
automatic ejectors. The barrels are fitted to a coin finished bolstered boxlock underlever action which shows attractive scroll engraving on all sides and extending to the tangs and blued underlever along with “B. SEARCY & CO.” signatures on either side. The rifle features bushed firing pins, double triggers, and a tang mounted safety with gold “S”. The rifle is mounted with a highly attractive, well-figured and multi-point checkered forend with engraved blue fittings and pistol grip stock with blued grip cap, shadowline cheekpiece, rear sling stud, and a Decelerator recoil pad. Length of pull 14 7/8 inches. Weight 11 lbs. 3 oz. CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and coin finishes with minor handling evidence, plum hue on the forend shoe, a few minor marks in the wood, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
LOT 520
Factory Game Scene Engraved Gebruder Merkel Boxlock Double
Rifle in .500 Nitro Express - Serial no. A500091, 500 Nitro Ex cal., 23
5/8 inch solid rib bbl., blue/coin finish, walnut stock. Built with blued
steel barrels with a ramped blade front sight and two leaf (one standing, one folding)
rear sight on the matted solid rib, standard barrel markings, 1/2 inch wedges of scroll engraving on either side of the breech, 2006 dated German proof marks, and chambers with a single extractor. The barrels are fitted to a coin finished
boxlock action which displays beautifully executed floral scroll engraving surrounding a pair of game scenes
before continuing onto the triggerguard and toplever. The game scenes consist of a lion in a jungle scene on the left and a bull elephant on the right. The rifle features bushed firing pins, cocking indicators, dual triggers, and a tang mounted manual safety. The rifle is mounted with a nicely figured, multi-point checkered forend with engraved fittings and a pistol grip stock with black grip cap, shadowline cheekpiece, rear sling swivel, and factory recoil pad. Length of pull 14 5/16 inches. Weight 10 lbs. 6 oz.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and coin finishes with minor handling evidence, some light dried grease on the action, tiny patch of oxidation on the left barrel near at the markings, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
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