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LOT 476
Factory Engraved Cogswell &
Harrison “The Cosmos” Boxlock Shot & Ball Gun with Case - Serial no. 46106, 12 gauge,
27 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., black/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Completed in 1913 according to Nigel Brown’s “British Gunmakers
Volume One: London”, the gun was built with compressed “Arcus”
steel barrels featuring a beaded blade front sight, three folding
leaf rear sight on a sunken top rib, front sling stud, “COGSWELL
& HARRISON Ltd THE COSMOS 141 NEW BOND ST” and “220
STRAND LONDON & 26 AVENUE DE L’OPERA PARIS FABRIQUE A
LONDRES” signed on the left and right tubes respectively, Period
London proofs for 1 1/8 oz (now 2 3/4 inch) chambers with C&H patented
“Avant Toot” automatic ejectors. The barrels are rifled at the muzzle for use with shot and ball munitions, this is a
very similar configuration to Holland & Holland’s Paradox gun and Westley Richards’ Explora. The barrels are fitted
to the casehardened assisted-opening boxlock action with Greener crossbolt which displays fine scroll engraving
around “COGSWELL & HARRISON Ltd” signatures on either side, and features a C&H patented single trigger and a tang
mounted automatic safety. The gun is fitted with a beautifully figured and multi-point checkered splinter forend with engraved forend iron and a semi-pistol grip stock with rear sling eye, blank gold
inscription oval, and serrated bare butt. Included is a period leather takedown case with maker’s label, three lead bullets, snap caps, and cleaning tools. Length of pull 14 3/16 inches. Weight 7 lbs.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 90% original black finish with much of the loss on the triggerguard, some traces of original case colors in the protected areas on the action with the balance a fine
grey, some dried grease, and a few dings, scratches, and minor pits on the barrels. The freshened wood has a few minor scratches, slight chip at toe, and sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The
case is very good with some transit wear.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 477
Rare Engraved W.W. Greener 10 Bore “Facile Princeps” Double Barrel
“Grade FH25” Ejector Shotgun - Serial no. 54127, 10 gauge, 30 1/4 inch solid
rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Made in circa 1905, this gun features Baker’s
forearm ejector system. Prior to 1902 this type of gun was referred to as a Monarch model before being
reclassified by Greener as the “FH”. With fluid steel
barrels, each engraved with a band of stylized
foliage at the breech end. The raised concave
machined matted solid rib has a bead front sight,
signed “W.W. GREENER. MAKER. 68 HAYMARKET. LONDON. S.W. WORKS ST. MARY’S
SQUARE. BIRMINGHAM.”, and engraved with further fine scrollwork and a vignette of a pheasant at
the rib extension. Casehardened treble grip bolstered action signed “W.W. GREENER” on each side
within a ribbon, with casehardened action floor plate, Greener cross bolt and black toplever. Niter
blued side mounted Greener patent safety catch with inlaid “SAFE” and black trigger guard engraved “GRADE FH25” on the tang.
The underside of the barrels and the water table with Birmingham nitro proof marks and Greener “Elephant” trademarks. Figured 13 3/4 inch semi-pistol grip stock including rubber
recoil pad, and checkered grip and forearm, the latter with Deeley latch and dark horn tip. The underside of the butt with silver oval initial escutcheon engraved with a monogram.
Proved at 10/10, measuring .777+/.780, 3 inch chambers. Weight 8 lbs. 10 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine, the barrels retain nearly all of the professionally reblacked finish and show a clear signature, 80% strong original casehardened finish on the action, 80% original
black finish on the trigger guard and toplever, and crisp engraving throughout. The stock has well-defined checkering and a later replacement rubber butt pad. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 478
Factory Engraved Joseph Smets 16 Gauge Sidelock Ejector
Double Barrel Shotgun -
Serial no. 11138, 16 gauge, 30 1/8 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut
stock. Built between 1910 and 1933, the gun has blued steel barrels featuring a single bead sight on the
matted concave solid rib, “FAIT PAR JOSEPH SMETS” and “Fcant
D’ ARMES LIEGE-BELGIQUE” signed on the right and left tubes
respectively, Liege proof marks on the flats, and 2 3/4” chambers
with automatic ejectors. The barrels are fitted to the casehardened
sidelock action which shows light border engraving and features
a hidden third fastener, bushed firing pins, double triggers, and a tang mounted manual safety with gold inlaid “S”
indicator. The gun is fitted with an attractively figured and multi-point checkered forend and a straight hand stock
with teardrop carved drop points and a checkered bare butt. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine
inches from the breech .667/.666 inches; choke constriction .032/.032 inches; minimum wall thickness .042/.041 inches; 1 3/4 inch drop at comb; 2 3/8 inch
drop at heel; 14 9/16 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 1 oz.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% original blue and casehardened finishes with minor handling evidence, a few freckles of spotting, and some loss on the forend irons. The wood is very fine
with a some minor dings and scratches and mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000