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LOT 460
Factory Engraved Pair of Frederick Beesley Sidelock Double Barrel Ejector Shotguns with Case
-A) Frederick Beesley Shotgun - Serial no. 2017, 12 gauge, 29 3/4 inch solid rib bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. Pairs of English shotguns are at the pinnacle of sporting arms collecting, and this pair will not disappoint. This pair was built in 1907 per information
given by Nigel Brown in “British Gunmakers Volume One: London”. Each gun in the pair was built with blued Whitworth Fluid Pressed Steel chopperlump barrels featuring a single bead sight on the smooth concave solid rib which is marked “F. BEESLEY 2. St. JAMES’S STREET. LONDON. PALL MALL CORNER.” as well as a gold “1” or “2”, light engraving at the breech, some period proofs as well as 2005 dated London reproofs, import mark under forend, and 2 3/4 inch chambers with ejectors. The barrels are
fitted to casehardened sidelock actions which display carved fences,
extensive bouquet and scroll engraving surrounding Beesley banners on either lockplate, “BEESLEY’S/PATENT”
on the underside, and a mix of bright and nitre blue pins before flowing onto the triggerguard, both tangs, and the toplever which has a gold inlaid “1” or “2”. The guns both feature a single trigger and a tang mounted manual safety with gold “SAFE” indicator. Both guns are mounted with a beautifully figured splinter forend with engraved
casehardened fittings and an Anson button release and a straight grip stock with teardrop carved drop points, gold inscription oval marked with the crest of the Pilkington family with a farmer with a scythe over the words “NOW THUS, NOW THUS”, and a checkered bare butt. Includes a wood and leather takedown case with Purdey label that houses both guns and a brass oiler. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both reproofed and measured at 18.6mm (.732 inches); choke constriction .006/.006 inches; minimum wall thickness .023/.024 inches; 1 5/16 inch drop at comb; 1 13/16 inch drop at heel; 14 5/8 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 9 oz. CONDITION: Very fine as professionally refurbished, retaining 99% blue and casehardened finishes, some softening of the barrel markings, minor handling evidence, chip in the forend shoe beneath the finish, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. The case is good with some wear and missing handle. B) Frederick Beesley Shotgun - Serial no. 2018, 12 gauge, 29 3/4 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. As described in “A”. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech reproofed and measured at 18.6/18.7mm (.732/.736 inches) and measured .733/.738 inches; choke constriction .008/.011 inches; minimum wall thickness .024/.023 inches; 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 1 15/16 inch drop at heel; 14 5/8 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 8 oz. CONDITION: Very fine as professionally refurbished, retaining 99% blue and casehardened finishes, minor handling evidence, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. A great chance to own a pair of fine English double guns! Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
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