Page 260 - 85-Book3

AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN ENGRAVERS III BY BLEILE
258
LOT 3474
Exceptional Documented Master Engraved, Gold Inlaid, Richard Hambrook Signed Belgian
Browning Superposed 28 Gauge Shotgun with Case - Serial no.
1458F6, 28 gauge, 26 1/2 inch vent rib
bbl., blue/coin finish, walnut stock. Originally
manufactured in 1966 and subsequently masterfully embellished by Firearms Engravers Guild of America Master Engraver Richard Hambrook. This stunning shotgun is pictured on page 113 of “American Engravers III: Masterpieces in Metal by American Engraving Artisans” by C. Roger Bleile. This exceptional engraved Superposed features added side plates with highly detailed game bird scenes of a pair of quail in flight over a field on the right and two pheasants in a wooded upland farm scene on the left. The backgrounds are fine line engraved and highly detailed. The individual birds are rendered in a combination of yellow gold, silver, and rose gold with borders of flowing broad leaf scroll with stunning contrasting gold inlay over the blackened background. Nearly every visible surface of the receiver, trigger guard, and forearm fittings is covered in fine gold inlaid broad leafy scroll with punch dot shading, intricate border details, and a small dog scene on the underside showing a retriever holding a quail in his mouth. The toplever shows a single woodcock in flight is great detail surrounded by a gold border. The near full coverage scrollwork is not just extensive, it beautifully follows and flows with the lines and curviture of the action in a way that only an extremely skilled hand can accomplish. The trigger plate is signed “R. Hambrook-Engraver” on the right side. The forend and round knob pistol grip buttstock are beautifully figured walnut with fine leafy scroll carved accents and scalloped carved borders surrounding the fancy multi- point checkering. The bare butt is carved and checkered to match the other gripping surfaces of the stock and forearm. With a single gold bead sight, 2 3/4 inch chambers with ejectors, improved modified/modified chokes, single selective gold washed trigger, and sliding tang safety/selector. Barrel and stock measurements are: bore diameter at 9 inches from breech .545/.544 inch; minimum wall thickness .043/.044 inch; drop at comb 1 3/8 inches; drop at heel 2 1/4 inches; length of pull 14 1/2 inches. With a leather and cloth Browning takedown case. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as master embellished and finished by Master Engraver Richard Hambrook with 98% blue finish, sharp markings, some very small traces of light spotting, and some mild handling marks. The engraving is sharp and detailed with complete gold inlays. The wood is also exceptionally fine with sharp carved accents, crisp checkering, some small dings, and very attractive grain and figure. Mechanically excellent. Case is excellent with some light storage marks. Do not miss out on this chance to own this high art piece from an outstanding American master engraver! Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000