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LOT 1514
Exquisite Pair of Factory Master Rudolph Kornbrath Relief Game Scene Engraved and Gold Inlaid
Hoffman Arms Company Boxlock Double Barrel Shotguns -A) Hoffman Arms Co. Boxlock Shotgun - Serial no. 98712, 12 gauge, 30 inch solid
rib bbl., blue/casehardened/gold finish, walnut stock. Hoffman Arms Company was establish in 1923, in Cleveland, Ohio, by Frank Hoffman along
with his team of craftsmen, including Rudolph Kornbrath, one of the most highly sought after American engravers of all time. Hoffman became famous
for their bolt action rifles built on Springfield 1903 and Mauser 98 actions, though they also offered fine, built to order shotguns, including this highly attractive pair. According
to included consignor correspondence with Gallyon, the holder’s of Webley & Scott records, these guns where both built in 1923 and subsequently sold to Hoffman Arms on
September 30th, 1924, after which they were finished stateside into the handsome shotguns that they are today.
Each gun was built with a single steel bead sight on the machine matted
flat solid rib which is inlaid with a gold bar near the breech, wedges of
fine floral scroll engraving at both breech and muzzle, correct period
Birmingham proof marks on the flats, and 2 3/4 inch chambers with
automatic ejectors. Each barrel set is fitted to a casehardened scalloped
screwgrip boxlock action, which displays highly attractive floral scroll
engraving surrounding a trio of game scenes and “I OF II” and “II OF II”
respectively, before spilling off of the action onto the pierced toplever and
both tangs, the bottom of which has the serial number inlaid in gold. The
game scenes consist of a hunter downing a pheasant cock on the left side,
a pair of dogs pointing on the right side, and an alighting mallard on the
underside. While the work is unsigned, it is known that the engraving on
these early Hoffman Arms guns was carried out by famed American Master
Engraver Rudolph Kornbrath, with the quality of the work on these guns, as
well as the style, certainly indicating that he had a hand in adorning these
guns. Both guns bear a gold inlaid signature on the triggerguard, the “A”
gun is marked “E. D. Nunns”, and the “B” gun is marked “R. J. Bresnahan”. The
guns both feature bushed firing pins, double triggers, and a tang mounted
automatic safety with gold inlaid “SAFE” indicator. The guns are both
fitted with a beautifully figured and multi-point checkered splinter forend
with engraved forend iron and an ebony inlay at the tip, along with a straight
hand stock with black diamond horn inlays at the drop points as well as a
serrated horn buttplate.
While the inscription reads “R. J. Bresnahan”, the consignor believes it is
the signature of Roger P. Bresnahan, who was a Toledo born Major League
Baseball player and manager who was inducted into the National Baseball
Hall of Fame in 1945. The identity of Nunns is unclear, though a strong
candidate is Edward (or Edmund) Nunns of Nassau, NY, a radio man in the
era following Bresnhan’s career, which could possibly be the link between
these two men. The consignor has included a binder of research on the
two men.
Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the
breech .726/.728 inches; choke constriction .024/.037 inches; minimum wall
thickness .036/.039 inches; 1 1/4 inch drop at comb; 2 9/16 inch drop at
heel; 15 13/16 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 7 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine overall, retaining 97% original blue finish on the
barrels and traces of original blue on the cover plate. A brushed finish on
the action body and guard bow, traces of the original color in the game
scenes, original blue around the serial numbers, some thinning of gold on the triggers, a few light dings and scratches on
the wood, and crisp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. B) Hoffman Arms Co. Boxlock Shotgun - Serial no. 98593, 12 gauge, 30 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue/casehardened/gold finish, walnut stock. As described in “A”. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .729/.726 inches; choke
constriction .022/.034 inches; minimum wall thickness .034/.033 inches; 1 5/16 inch drop at comb; 2 3/16 inch drop at heel; 14 3/4 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 3 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine overall, retaining 98% original blue finish on the barrels and traces of original blue on the cover plate. Brushed action body with traces of the original
color in the game scenes, original blue around the serial numbers, some dried grease, a few minor marks on the wood, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
450