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LOT 522
Very Rare Factory Engraved Theophile Britte 1931 Patent “Superbritte” Side-
Opening Over/Under Ejector Shotgun - Serial no. 244, 12 gauge, 28 3/8 inch solid rib
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Blued steel barrels with single steel bead sight on the matted solid rib, standard Belgian proofs, and chambers proofed at 70 mm (2 3/4 inches)
with automatic ejectors. The casehardened action is a very interesting
one in that it is a side opening over/under, which very much resembles a
standard boxlock double gun turned on its side. This is a contemporary
example to John Dickson’s similar design built on their famous round body actions, of which, only a limited few were made. This example by Theophile Britte was built before World War II and is one of only 250 original examples completed, including five double rifles, and was designed from the ground up to be a side-opening over/under
gun. Production ceased in 1936, when the looming war pushed Britte into other sectors of manufacturing. The action displays extensive floral engraving along with Belgian proofs and the “SUPERBRITTE” patent details on the watertable. The
gun features double triggers, bushed firing pins, a tang mounted manual safety switch, and side mounted “top lever” which also acts as the cocking mechanism when the action is opened. Beautifully figured, multi-point checkered three-piece forend with engraved fittings, including the Deeley latch release and a straight grip stock with checkered bare butt. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proved at 18.4 mm (.724 inches) and measured .728/.726 inches; choke constriction .020/.040 inches; minimum wall thickness .029/.032 inches; 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 1/4 inch drop at heel; 14 3/4 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 12 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 98% original blue, attractive silvered patina on the action, scattered light spotting on the barrels , slight discoloration in areas on the action, and overall light handling evidence. The stock head has a small crack coming off the action on both sides; otherwise, the wood is very good with scattered dings and scratches and mostly crisp checkering. The lower barrel is slightly out of round on the bottom edge.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000
Factory Game Scene Engraved and Gold Inlaid H.
Leue Slide-and-Tilt Self-Cocking Hammer Drilling - Serial no. 1464,
16ga / 11 mm gauge, 27 1/8 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened/
gold finish, walnut stock. Made circa 1890, this is a rare example of a Schienendrilling, or rib drilling, where the rifle barrel is above the shotgun barrels rather than the more usual configuration of the rifle barrel being
below the shotgun barrels. Damascus
steel barrels with round blade front sight on the rifle barrel flat, gold inlaid bands and “H LEUE IN BERLIN” and HOFBUCHSENMACHER” signatures at the left and right
breech respectively, chambers measuring 2 1/2 inches with single extractor, and rifle barrel chambered in an unidentified 11mm cartridge. The casehardened hammer back
action displays beautiful relief engraved game scenes consisting of roe deer on the left of the action, a stag and hind on the left lockplate, roe deer on the right of the action, and another stag and hind on the right lockplate all
surrounded by wonderful leaf and vine scroll. The gun features rebounding hammers, cock on open underlever, tang peep sight, and double triggers. The
front trigger has a set function for use with the rifle barrel, the selector for which forms the right hand firing pin. Lightly figured, checkered forend with engraved fitting and pistol grip stock with horn trigger guard, grip cap, and buttplate, raised cheek piece, and extensively engraved cartridge trap. Length of pull 13 1/16 inches. Weight 7 lbs. 6 oz.
CONDITION: Very good, with an attractive smooth brown coloration on the barrels, sharp gold inlays, nice smooth silvered patina on the action and locks, and light handling evidence. The wood is good with a few cracks around the left lock and tang, some gaps in the fitment to the wood, scattered dings and scratches, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 7,500 - 9,500
LOT 523
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