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LOT 3420
Engraved Frederick Williams Double Barrel Shotgun with
Damascus Barrels Leather Takedown Case and Accessories -
NSN, 12 gauge, 30 inch solid rib bbl., brown/blue finish. The top of the rib is marked “FREDK
WILLIAMS MAKER BIRMINGHAM” and “FITTED WITH WESTLEY RICHARDS EJECTOR. C. HOWLE.
R.N.” The shotgun was manufactured circa the 1880s before the firm became the Birmingham
Gun Works in 1890. It reverted to Frederick Williams near WWI and was a limited company from
around 1937 until the company closed in 1947. It is inlaid with “EJECTOR” ahead of the break
lever, and the automatic safety has an inlaid “SAFE” marking. The bottom of the barrels and
the water table have Birmingham proofmarks and other small markings. The Damascus barrels
have a single bead front sight at the muzzle and flourishes of English scrollwork at the breech. The forearm hardware, action, and trigger
guard have nearly full coverage tight English scroll engraving as well. It is fitted with a fancy grade walnut splinter forearm and round knob pistol grip
buttstock with multi-point checkering on the forearm and grip, a solid recoil pad, blank initial shield, and tear drop flats. The length of pull is 15 inches. The chokes gauge full and improved cylinder. The chambers gauge between 2
1/2 and 2 3/4 (likely 2 9/16) and have ejectors. It comes in a leather takedown case marked “C. HOWLE/R.N.” on top that contains cleaning tools including a two-piece bore rod and has multiple “SUNDERLAND” railway labels on top.
Engineer Lieutenant (also listed as “assistant engineer) Clifford Howle appears in English records as a member of the Royal Navy in the 1880s to early 20th century.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrels retain 70% plus of the re-browned finish and display attractive Damascus patterns. There are some spots of oxidation and light pitting. The break lever retains half of the original blue finish, and traces
remain on the other components which primarily display a light gray patina along with some minor oxidation. The engraving patterns are crisp. The re-oiled wood is also fine with sharp checkering, minor marks, and attractive
figure. Mechanically fine. The case and accessories are fair to fine with moderate storage wear on the case including stains, tears, and broken pieces.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3419
Factory Engraved W. W. Greener 10 Gauge Boxlock Double
Barrel Shotgun with Case - Serial no. 29044, 10 gauge, 30 inch solid
rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured circa 1886 according to page
198 of Gram Greener’s “The Greener Story”. Blued steel barrels featuring a single bead sight
on the matted solid rib which is signed “W.W. GREENER, 68 HAYMARKET. LONDON, WINNER
AT THE LONDON GUN TRIALS. 1875. 1877. 1878. 1879.” along with the patent, some engraving
at the breech, “SLEEVED” marked ahead of the barrel flats which also bear three sets on proof
marks most recently 1994 dated London, choke constrictions of .043/.053 inches, and 3 1/2
inch chambers with a single extractor. The barrels are fitted to a casehardened boxlock action
which shows near full coverage floral scroll engraving around “W.W. Greener” signatures on
either side and features double triggers and a Greener safety with gold “SAFE” marking. The
gun is fitted with an attractively figured and fancy checkered splinter forend and a round knob pistol grip stock with diamond carved drop
points, “S.R.P.” in the gold inscription oval, and a checkered bare butt. Included is a period takedown case with “W.R.C.P.” on the lid and a cleaning rod. Stock
measurements: 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 1/4 inch drop at heel; 14 3/4 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 7 lbs. 15 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally refurbished, retaining 98% blue finish, attractive silver patina on the action, minor handling evidence, some very light
spotting, and sharp checkering on the wood. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good with some transit wear.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,500
LOT 3418
Rare Factory Engraved Morian Patent 16 Gauge Triple Barrel Hammer Shotgun - Serial
no. 33161, 16 gauge, 27 1/8 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Built
with brown Damascus barrels featuring a single bead sight on the matted concave solid rid, “LEOPOLD
BERNARD” maker’s mark for the barrel maker, chambers measured at slightly
over 2 3/4 inches, front sling swivel, and “C. MORIAN/PARIS/1889” marked on
the under lug for the patent holder and maker of the gun. The barrels are
fitted to a casehardened action which displays attractive scroll engraving
surrounding “MORIAN BTE” and “A PARIS” on the left and right sides of the
action respectively. The action features a standard hammer on either side
with a third hammer attached in the center of the top tang with an elongated spur as well as three separate triggers and
stepped tails on each lock. The gun is fitted with a lightly figured and multi-point checkered forend
with sliding release and engraved fittings and a straight grip stock with beautiful figure, rear sling swivel, a pair of stickers indicating this
gun was once registered as part of Spain’s Artistic Treasures registry in 1943 and 1961, a silver inscription oval with a crown over an “S”, and
a checkered horn buttplate. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L/U): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .676/.674/.676 inches; choke
constriction .000/.001/.001 inches; 1 9/16 inch drop at comb; 2 1/4 inch drop at heel; 13 13/16 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 1 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining nearly all of the original brown finish on the barrels, blue turning a brown patina on the underlever and triggerguard, 95% original vivid case
colors on the action, some areas of light spotting, and some mild handling evidence. The wood is good with a few pressure marks, a number of scratches, a hairline crack at the
comb, and overall, well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000