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LOT 3401
Rare Engraved Pair James MacNaughton & Sons 12 Bore Double Barrel “The Edinburgh” Bar-In-Wood Skeletal Trigger Plate Ejector Shotguns
-A) James MacNaughton & Sons 12 Bore Double Barrel Shotgun - Serial no. 3045, 12 bore gauge, 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. The maker’s records confirm that this pair of shotguns was completed in June 1910 with the No.1 gun
being made for a Dr. Robert Maclagen and the No.2 gun for Douglas Maclagen, his son. This rare pair of guns represents the epitome of Scottish gunmaking, possibly even eclipsing Dickson’s round action in desirability. They incorporate MacNaughton’s patent trigger plate action (no. 2848 of July 12, 1879) and his barrel cocking system of 1894. The blued barrels are each engraved with a band of foliage at the breech end and a concave rib signed “JAMES MACNAUGHTON & SONS. 36 HANOVER STREET EDINBURGH.” It is numbered “1” in gold and engraved with scrollwork at the breech end and fitted with a bead sight. The
treble grip action is signed “JAMES MACNAUGHTON & SONS” on each side, and the toplever is numbered “1” in gold. It has an automatic pivoting safety lever with engraved “SAFE” and a solid inspection plate cover. It is finely engraved throughout with scrolling grape vines against a matted ground. The figured
straight hand stock has a short wood extension and grooved buttplate. There is multi-point checkering on the grip and forearm, and the latter is engraved
“No.1” on the iron. The underside of the butt has a large blank gold oval initial escutcheon. There are London nitro reproof marks for 2001 and an import mark on the underside of the rib under the forearm. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): 65mm (2 1/2 inch) chambers; bore diameter nine inches from the breech both reproved at 18.7 mm (.736 inches) and measured at .738/.737 inches; choke
constriction .013/.041 inches; minimum wall thickness .023/.024 inches; 1 9/16 inch drop at comb; 2 1/8 inch drop at heel; 14 13/16 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 6 oz.
CONDITION: Good. The barrels have 100% reblued finish, a recut rib signature,
and worn breech end engraving. The action and trigger plate have slight traces of original casehardened finish and clear engraving. The trigger guard has 20% original casehardened finish on the inner surface. The stock has been refinished and has handling wear on the checkering and some scattered marks. Mechanically very good.
B) James MacNaughton & Sons 12 Bore Double Barrel Shotgun - Serial no. 3043, 12 bore gauge, 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. See “A”. The rib
and toplever are each numbered “2” in gold, and the forearm iron is engraved “No.2.” It has Birmingham nitro reproof marks, London nitro reproof marks for 2001, and an import mark on the underside of the rib under the forearm. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L):
65mm (2 1/2 inch) chambers; bore diameter nine inches from the breech both reproved at 18.6mm (.732 inches) and measured at .734/.733 inches; choke constriction .010/.036 inches;
minimum wall thickness .023/.019 inches; 1 9/16 inch drop at comb; 2 1/8 inch drop at heel; 14 13/16 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 9 oz.
CONDITION: Good. The barrels have 100% reblued finish aside from some surface corrosion staining to the breech face and breech end of the barrels, a recut rib signature, and worn breech end engraving. The ation and trigger plate have slight traces of original casehardened finish and clear engraving. The trigger guard has 20% original casehardened finish on the
inside of the bow. The stock has been refinished and has partially smoothed checkering on the wrist from handling wear and some scattered marks. Mechanically very good.
Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000