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LOT 461
Factory Engraved Richard Ellis & Son 10 Gauge Boxlock
Double Barrel Shotgun with Case - Serial no. 1180A, 10 gauge,
32 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured between 1879 and 1897 according to “Nigel
Brown’s British Gunmakers Volume Two: Birmingham, Scotland &
the Regions”. Built with browned Damascus steel barrels featuring
a single brass bead sight on the matted concave solid rib engraved
with the Birmingham address, “Made for Charles Naber” and St. Louis” inlaid in gold on the
left and right tubes respectively, period Birmingham proof marks, and chambers with a single extractor. The
barrels are fitted to the casehardened Anson & Deeley boxlock action which features attractive classic rose and scroll engraving
surrounding a “RICHARD ELLIS & SON.” banner on either side before continuing onto the toplever, trigger guard, and the tangs.
The gun features double triggers and a tang mounted automatic safety with gold inlaid indicator. The gun is fitted with a beautifully figured and multi-point checkered forend with engraved iron, carving at
the shoe, and horn tip inlay as well as a semi-pistol grip stock with carved and checkered flats, blank gold inscription shield, “C. Naber” in a gold oval, and a serrated horn buttplate. Includes a canvas and leather flat case marked
“C. NABOR” with oiler, snap caps, and some cleaning tools. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .784/.786 inches; choke constriction.042/.040 inches; minimum wall thickness .035/.037
inches; 2 inch drop at comb; 3 7/16 inch drop at heel; 14 1/4 inch length of pull; weight 9 lbs. 7 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 70% original brown finish with strong Damascus patterns, strong traces of original case colors with the balance a fine silver patina, 50% original blue on the small parts, and mild handling evidence.
The freshened wood is also very fine with slight softening, minor marks, repaired forend tip, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is also very fine.
Estimate: 4,000 - 7,000
LOT 462
Factory Engraved W. W. Greener F.1 Grade Facile Princeps Double
Barrel Shotgun Two Barrel Set with Case - Serial no. 46896, 12 gauge,
29 11/16 inch solid rib bbl., brown/blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Completed in 1898 according to page 199 of Graham Greener’s “The Greener
Story”. The gun has browned Damascus steel barrels featuring a single bead
sight on the matted concave solid rib which is engraved with the Greener address and accolades as well as
a “1” and an engraved game bird set in scroll work, light engraving at the breech, period Birmingham proof marks, and
2 1/2 inch chambers with extractor. The barrels are fitted to the casehardened Facile Princeps action which features
a Greener crossbolt, Greener safety, and double triggers and displays extensive attractive scroll engraving around
“W.W.GREENER” banners on either side and the serial number and “GRADE F.1” on the lower tang. The gun is fitted with a nicely figured
and multi-point checkered forend with engraved iron and a horn tip inlay as well as a straight hand stock with blank inscription oval and a checkered horn
buttplate. Includes a second matching numbered set of 28 inch 12 gauge barrels with 2 1/2 inch chambers. Also included is a canvas and leather flat case with some cleaning tools. Barrel measurements (R/L): bore diameter
nine inches from the breech both measured .731 inches; choke constriction .008/.015 inches; minimum wall thickness .026/.024 inches. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech measured
.732/.733 inches; choke constriction .036/.036 inches; minimum wall thickness .036/.036 inches; 1 5/8 inch drop at comb; 2 7/16 inch drop at heel; 13 3/4 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 3 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally restored, retaining 99% brown, blue, and casehardened finishes with light handling evidence, minor cloudy spots in the varnish, and sharp checkering on the wood. Mechanically excellent.
The case is very good and the extra barrel set is very fine.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 463
Factory Engraved W. W. Greener 10 Gauge Boxlock Double Barrel Shotgun - Serial no. 20978,
10 gauge, 32 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Completed circa 1882 according to page
198 of “The Greener Story” by Graham Greener. The gun was made with browned Damascus steel barrels featuring dual white
bead sights on the smooth concave 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 marking, Birmingham proof marks, choke constrictions of .047/.046 inches, and 2 7/8 inch
chambers with an extractor. The barrels are fitted to the casehardened boxlock action which displays handsome scroll engraving surrounding “W.W.
GREENER” signature banners on either side and featuring double triggers and a Greener patent side safety. The gun is fitted with a lightly figured and multi-
point checkered splinter forend with engraved fittings and a beautifully figured round knob pistol grip stock with arrowhead carved drop points, a monogram in the silver oval, and a recoil
pad. Notes from the Blank Collection indicate the gun was acquired from Dr. Earl J. Thee around 1961. Dr. Earl J. Thee (1895 - 1985) was a noted sheep hunter (see Boone & Crockett, 182-2/8 points Dall’s
Sheep, taken 1948, Moraine River, Yukon Territory - now at Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wyoming). Stock measurements: 1 15/16 inch drop at comb; 3 1/16 inch drop at heel; 15 1/8 inch length of
pull; weight 9 lbs. 14 oz.
CONDITION: Fine, with 80% original brown finish on the barrels with nice Damascus patterns, 60% original case colors on the action with the balance grey, 80% original blue on the triggerguard and
floorplate, and oxidation on the barrels with the majority toward the muzzles. The freshened wood is very fine with some light dings and scratches and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dr. Earl J. Thee Collection; The Norman R. Blank Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,500
LOT 464
Factory Game Scene Engraved and Silver Inlaid E. C. Schneider 16 Gauge Double
Barrel Hammer Shotgun - NSN, 16 gauge, 31 1/8 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Built with browned Damascus steel barrels featuring a single bead sight on the smooth concave solid rib which is inlaid in
silver “E. C. SCHNEIDER. ZELLA & GOTHA”, silver bands and scroll at the breech, front sling swivel, and 2 1/2 inch chambers with extractor.
The barrels are fitted to the non-rebounding hammer fired back action which displays attractive scroll engraving surrounding game scenes on
either side of the action and either lockplate. The gun is fitted with a lightly figured forend and stock with multi-point checkering, a horn pistol grip adapter, raised cheekpiece, rear sling swivel,
and a steel buttplate. Stock measurements: 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 2 1/2 inch drop at heel; 13 13/16 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 12 oz.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining much of the original brown finish on the barrels with strong Damascus patterns, attractive silver patina on the action, some handling evidence, dark patina on the silver,
some dings and chips on the wood, and mostly well-defined checkering on the wood. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500 407