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LOT 538
Factory Lucien Ernst Signed and Engraved Belgian Browning 20 Gauge
Pointer Grade Superposed Shotgun - Serial no. 184V72, 20 gauge, 28 inch vent
rib bbl., blue/French grey finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1972. Built with blued Special Steel
barrels featuring dual white bead sights on the matted vent rib, standard Browning markings, light band of
engraving at the upper breech, chokes marked “**$”/”**$” (skeet/skeet), and 2 3/4 inch chambers with automatic ejectors. The barrels
are fitted to the French grey boxlock action which displays beautiful floral scroll engraving surrounding four individual game scenes consisting
of a pointer holding a mallard in its mouth in a pond scene on the left, a pointer grasping a pheasant in a field on the right, a pair of bedded grouse on
the underside, and a pair of pheasants on the triggerguard. The engraving is signed “L.ERNST” on both sides of the action for FN engraver Lucien Ernst. The gun
features a single gold trigger and tang mounted manual safety/selector switch. The gun is fitted with a beautifully figured and multi-point checkered forend with
engraved fittings and pistol grip stock with ventilated Browning recoil pad. Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .623/.623 inches; choke constriction .004/.004 inches;
minimum wall thickness .040/.039 inches; 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 1 13/16 inch drop at heel; 14 7/16 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 10 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine overall, retaining 99% original blue finish, 97% original French grey finish with some minor thinning, some dried grease on the action, light handling evidence, a few pressure marks in the
wood, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 537
Factory M. Beunet and L. Cortis Signed, Engraved,
and Gold Inlaid Belgian Browning 20 Gauge Midas Grade Superposed
Shotgun - Serial no. 63159V70, 20 gauge, 26 3/8 inch vent rib bbl., blue/gold
finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1970. Built with a nickel bead sight on the matted vent rib,
standard markings, wedges scroll engraving at the breech, import marks on right side of barrel flats, 3
inch chambers with automatic ejectors, and “**-”/”**” (improved cylinder/modified) chokes. Two importer marks
on the right barrel flat. The barrels are fitted to the blued action which displays full coverage scroll engraving on punch
dot background surrounding game bird scenes showing a trio of pheasant on the left, three mallards on the right, and
a grouse on the underside all rendered in fine semi-relief gold inlay with gold inlaid borders around the scenes on the
sides of the action. The gun is signed “M Beunet” on the left side and “L. CORTIS” on the right. The gun features a single
gold trigger and a tang mounted safety/selector with gold inlaid “O”, “U”, and “S” indicators. The gun is fitted with a highly figured and multi-point checkered forend with engraved fittings
as well as a pistol grip stock with Browning buttplate. Barrel and stock measurements: bore diameter nine inches from the breech .622/.622 inches; choke constriction .005/.013 inches;
minimum wall thickness .040/.038 inches; 1 5/16 inch drop at comb; 2 inch drop at heel; 14 5/16 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 2 oz.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and gold finishes with minor handling evidence and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 8,000 - 13,000
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