Page 415 - 4094-BOOK2

LOT 1480
Exquisite Factory Engraved Boss & Co. Sidelock Over/
Under Shotgun - Serial no. 9002, 12 gauge, 26 inch solid
rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Boss
& Co. name stands amongst the best makers of fine arms
in the world and has done so ever since the company
was established in 1812 by the founder Thomas Boss. The
reputation of Boss & Co. was so elegantly summarized in a
single sentence by author Donald Dallas as the title of his
compendium on the company “Boss & Co.: Builders of Best
Guns Only”. This fine over/under was completed circa 1955,
according to the information given on page 102 of Nigel
Brown’s “British Gunmakers Volume One: London”, and is a
shinning example of the mid-20th century guns produced
by Boss & Co.
This gun was built with blued steel barrels featuring a single
red bead sight on the hand filed flat solid rib, the “BOSS &
Co. 41 ALBEMARLE STREET PICCADILLY LONDON MADE IN
ENGLAND” signature on the left side of the upper tube, light
scroll engraving at and around the breech, correct period
London proof marks on the flats, and chambers marked 2 3/4
inches with automatic ejectors. The barrels are fitted to the
casehardened sidelock action which displays fantastic classic
rose and scroll engraving surrounding “BOSS & Co.” signatures
on either lockplate, patent markings on either side, and a mix
of nitre blue and bright finished lock pins before extending
off of the action onto the triggerguard, both tangs, and the
toplever. The gun features bushed firing pins, double triggers,
a right hand rolled triggerguard, gold centerlined cocking
indicators on the lockplates, and a tang mounted automatic
safety switch with gold inlaid “SAFE” indicator. The gun is fitted
with a lovely well-figured and multi-point checkered forend with
engraved forend iron and an Anson button release as well as a
semi-pistol grip stock with teardrop carved drop points, a blank
gold inscription oval, and an orange rubber recoil pad.
413