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LOT 532
Pre-World War II Factory
Engraved and Gold Inlaid
Belgian Browning 16
Gauge Auto-5 High Grade
Semi-Automatic Shotgun with
Case - Serial no. 60815, 16 gauge,
22 inch vent rib bbl., blue/gold
finish, walnut stock. Manufactured
between 1903 and 1939, and featuring a single bead sight on the added
Lyman Cutts Compensator which has a full choke installed, a matted vent rib,
standard factory markings, and fine gold inlaid scroll at the breech. The barrel is
fitted to the blued receiver which displays the standard markings and proof marks all surrounded by highly attractive gold wire inlay forming scrolls and floral
designs, creating a very elegant look. The gun is fitted with highly attractive and multi-panel checkered sculpted forend and pistol grip stock three lines carved near
the checkered bare butt and a blued steel grip cap engraved “ROBERT W. BROWNLEE/MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA”. Robert W. Brownlee was son of Coca-Cola executive W. M. Brownlee, and himself was the
manager of the Marshalltown Coca-Cola bottling plant. Includes a lightweight leather takedown case marked “R.W.B./MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA” on the lid. Stock measurements: 1 5/8 inch drop at comb; 2
1/2 inch drop at heel; 13 3/4 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 13 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally refurbished, retaining 99% blue and gold finishes with minor handling evidence, slight fill in some of the markings, slight wear to the varnish, a few minor
scratches on the wood, and crisp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 531
Factory Master Louis Vrancken Signed,
Engraved, and Gold Inlaid Belgian Browning
Superposed Grade VI Trap Shotgun Two Barrel
Set with Case - Serial no. 66882, 12 gauge, 30
inch vent rib bbl., blue/gold finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured in 1958. Built with blued Special
Steel barrels featuring dual white bead sights on
the matted vent rib, wedges of floral scroll at the breech, chokes marked “**”/”*” (modified/full), and 2 3/4
inch chambers with automatic ejectors. The barrels are fitted to the blued action which displays full coverage floral scroll engraving around a setter flushing a
mallard surround by a gold line border on the left, a pointer flushing a quail on the right surrounded by a gold line border, and a gold mallard on the underside. The gun is signed
on the left side of the action at the low rear “VRANCKEN” for highly regarded FN Master Engraved Louis Vrancken. The gun features a single gold trigger and a tang mounted manual safety/selector with
gold inlaid “S”, “U”, and “O” indicators. The gun is fitted with a beautifully figured and multi-point checkered fluted semi-beavertail forend with engraved forend iron and a round knob long tang pistol
grip stock with a Browning rubber recoil pad. Included is an extra set of matching 28 inch barrels with chokes marked “**-”/”**” (improved cylinder/modified). Also included is the original Tolex case with
original Royal Blue low-pile lining. These cases were only available 1955-1959. Barrel measurements for the extra set (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .734/.735 inches; choke constriction
.011/.019 inches; minimum wall thickness .027/.028 inches. Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .732/.733 inches; choke constriction .019/.033 inches;
minimum wall thickness .030/.028 inches; 1 9/16 inch drop at comb; 1 11/16 inch drop at heel; 14 1/4 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 12 oz.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and gold finishes with minor handling evidence, a few minor marks on the wood, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically
excellent. The case is very good. The extra barrel set is excellent.
Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000