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LOT 1456
Rare Engraved Watson Bros. 20 Bore Double Barrel Boxlock Ejector Shot and Ball Gun with Case and Extra Set of Shotgun Barrels - Serial no. 7571, 20 gauge, 28 inch bbl., blue/bright finish, walnut stock. According to the makers records, this rare small gauge shotgun was completed in 1912. The 28 inch smoothbore shot and ball barrels have 2 3⁄4 inch chambers and are proofed for a 510 grain bullet whilst the extra 28 inch shotgun barrels have 3 inch chambers. Both sets of barrels are blued and with matted rib with bead front sight, each tube is engraved with a band of stylized foliage at the breech end, both are import marked on the under rib below the forearm, and respectively signed “WATSON BROS. GUN MAKERS” and “13, PALL MALL. LONDON”. The shotgun barrels do not have a visible serial number but have a factory bench number “TH18911” on the under-rib behind the barrel loop. Bright treble grip action signed “WATSON BROS.” on each side, and with blued toplever, automatic safety with gold inlaid “SAFE”, blued cover plate engraved “PATENT EJECTOR” and blued trigger guard. Engraved with fine deep cut scrollwork throughout. Very well figured straight hand stock with checkered ebonite buttplate, checkered grip and forearm, the latter with Anson push button release, and the underside of the butt with blank gold oval initial escutcheon. London nitro reproof marks to the shot and ball barrels, Birmingham nitro reproof marks to the shot only barrels. In fitted brass cornered canvas and leather case lined in red baize with a cleaning rod and a glass oiler, the lid with printed Watson Bros. trade label. The exterior is named to “JAMES MILNES”. Barrel measurements for the extra (shotgun only) barrels (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both reproved at .615 and measured at .619/.620 inches; choke constriction .029/.028 inches; minimum wall thickness .028/.028 inches. Barrel measurements for the primary (shot & ball) set (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both reproved at .626 and measured at .630/.630 inches; choke constriction .007/.004 inches; minimum wall thickness .030/.034 inches; 1 3/8 inch drop at comb; 2 1/8 inch drop at heel; 14 5/16 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 4 oz. CONDITION: Very good. The barrels retain near 100% reblued finish with slightly softened barrel signatures. Action with crisp engraving against a matted background, the toplever, cover plate and trigger guard each with near 100% reblued finish. Very attractive figured pattern to the stock, the checkering is well defined and minor age related storage and handling blemishes and bruising throughout. Mechanically excellent. The second set of barrels are in very good condition. The case is in very good partially renovated condition with some of the leather edges replaced along with the straps and handle. The interior has been relined, some wear and staining to the trade label. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1457
Rare Panel Game Scene Engraved W.W. Greener 12 Bore “Facile Princeps” Double Barrel “Grade G60” Royal Ejector Shotgun - Serial no. 50418, 12 gauge, 30 inch bbl., blue/casehardened/gold finish, walnut stock. The makers have kindly confirmed that this gun is the No. 2 of a pair of Unique ejector “G60” guns that were started on November 6, 1901 and completed on June 6, 1905. The Unique ejection system was reserved for the best grade guns. The records also note that the scroll engraving was done by Horrocks and the game scenes by Mills. With blacked barrels each engraved with sprays of foliage at each breech end. Concave rib fitted with a bead front sight, signed “W.W. GREENER. MAKER. 68. HAYMARKET. LONDON. WORKS ST. MARY’S SQUARE. BIRMINGHAM.” and with gold inlaid “2” in front of the scroll engraved rib extension. Casehardened bolstered scalloped back action signed “W.W. GREENER” on each side,
with arcaded fences, enclosed Greener patent cross bolt, numbered “2” in gold, and with blued toplever with gold crown. Blued side mounted Greener
patent safety catch with gold inlaid “SAFE” and blued trigger guard engraved “GRADE G60” on the tang. The whole finely engraved with scrollwork and vignettes involving hunting dogs,
partridge, ducks and a pheasant. The underside of the barrels and water table with Birmingham nitro proof and reproof marks, and Greener “Elephant” trademarks. Well figured 14 7/8 inch straight hand stock including 1 inch matched wood extension, shaped checkered panels to the grip and forearm, and dark horn double arrow drop points. The forearm numbered “2” in gold on the iron, with Deeley & Edge fastener and dark horn tip. The underside of the butt with gold oval initial escutcheon engraved with a crest and initials. Proved at 12 /12, measuring .735+ / .732+, 2 1/2 inch chambers,
minimum wall thickness 0.019 / 0.025. Weight 6 lbs. 9.5 oz. In a double brass cornered oak and leather fitted case lined in green baize, the lid with red leather W.W. Greener trade label with gilt lettering. CONDITION: Steel barrels retaining nearly all of the reblued finish, signature and breech engraving clear but softened. Action retaining 15% original casehardened finish in sheltered areas, engraving clear crisp with fine detailing to the game scenes, remainder a light grey patina. Trigger guard retaining 20% original blued finish, engraving clear. Stock with well defined checkering, some storage and handling marks, figured 1 inch wood extension. Mechanically very good. Provenance: The Malcolm King Collection. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,000
LOT 1458
Factory Engraved Webley & Scott Boxlock Double Barrel Ejector Shotgun with Rare and Desirable 2 Inch Chambers and Factory Box - Serial no. 116531, 12 gauge, 26 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. 2 inch chambered guns were popularized in the 1930s for driven game and walk-up hunting due to their light weight and ease of handling. The present gun was made around the time of World War II. Their popularity was short-lived making them very rare to find. This Webley has blued steel barrels with a single steel bead sight on the smooth concave solid rib which marked “2’” near the breech, single bands of engraving at either breech, “WEBLEY & SCOTT Ltd” and “BIRMINGHAM” on the right and left barrels respectively, import mark under forend, Birmingham nitro proofs, and the all important 2 inch chambers. The casehardened boxlock action displays light scroll engraving and is signed “WEBLEY & SCOTT Ltd” on either side and features double triggers and an automatic tang safety. Lightly figured, multi-point checkered splinter forend with engraved fittings and straight wrist stock with blank inscription oval and walnut stock extension. Includes an original factory box. Stock measurements: 1 3/8 inch drop at comb; 2 inch drop at heel; 14 5/8 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 5 lbs. 11 oz. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 95% original blue finish on the barrels with a slight plum hue, 99% reapplied blue on the trigger guard and floorplate, 50% original case colors, and moderate handling evidence. The wood is fine with scattered dings and scratches, added butt extension, and overall crisp checkering. The box is very good with a few tears. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500