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LOT 549
Factory R. Coenen Signed and Engraved Belgian Browning
20 Gauge Diana Grade Superposed Shotgun - Serial no. 6530V76, 20 gauge, 26 1/2
inch vent rib bbl., blue/coin finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1976. Blued Special Steel barrels
with single steel bead sight on the matted vent rib, standard Browning markings, chokes marked “**-”/”**”
(improved cylinder/modified), and 2 3/4 inch chambers with automatic ejectors. The coin grey receiver is engraved
in the Diana Grade pattern with flowing scroll designs surrounding three game scenes depicting four mallards in a marsh on
the right, a covey of pheasant in a wooded scene on the left, and pair of quail on the underside with an additional scene showing a
pair of rabbits on the trigger guard. The action is signed “R.COENEN” on the left side below the game scene. The gun features a single gold washed trigger and tang mounted safety/selector switch with gold inlaid “U”, “O”, and “S”. Beautifully figured, multi-point checkered Schnabel tip forend with engraved fittings and
straight grip stock with Browning buttplate. Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech measured at .623/.623 inches; choke constriction .005/.012 inches; minimum wall thickness .033/.032 inches; 1 3/8 inch drop at comb; 2 1/8 inch drop at heel; 14 5/16 inch length of pull; weight 5 lbs. 12 oz.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 98% plus original blue and coin finishes with minimal minor handling evidence, slight rub wear ahead of the forend, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
410
LOT 550
Factory F. Marechal and “Bovy” Double Signed, Engraved, and Gold Inlaid
Belgian Browning Superposed Midas Grade Shotgun - Serial no. 36410S74, 12
gauge, 26 1/2 inch vent rib bbl., blue/gold finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1974. Single white bead sight on
the matted vent rib, standard markings, wedges of scroll engraving at the breech end, 2 3/4 inch chambers with automatic
ejectors, and cylinder/improved modified “***”/”**-” chokes. The blued action displays full coverage scroll engraving on a punch
dot background surrounding game bird scenes showing a trio of pheasant on the left, three mallards on the right, and a quail on the
underside. The birds are rendered in fine semi-relief gold inlay with gold inlaid borders around the scenes. The receiver is signed “F.MARECHAL”
on the right hand side at the rear for Master Engraver Francois Marechal and the left is signed “BOVY” for an unidentified, and clearly talented, factory engraver. The triggerguard and tangs are engraved with matching scroll and checker board patterns and a blank initial shield at the center of the
guard. Beautifully figured, multi-point checkered Schnabel forend with engraved fittings and a straight grip stock with Browning buttplate. Barrel and stock measurements: bore diameter nine inches from the breech .723/.727 inches; choke constriction .001/.013 inches; minimum wall thickness .038/.035 inches; 1
9/16 inch drop at comb; 2 3/8 inch drop at heel; 14 1/4 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 10 oz.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 98% plus original blue and gold finishes with minimal minor handling evidence, a few slight rubs on the barrels, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000