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LOT 1269
Unique Documented Engraved Fisher Boss Double Barrel Flintlock Shotgun - NSN, 22 gauge, 28
1/2 inch solid rib bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. Fisher Boss, second son of William
Boss and elder brother to Thomas Boss who would go on to establish the world famous gunmaking firm of Boss &
Co., followed his father into gunmaking. Not a great deal is known about Fisher beyond that he was baptized on November 23, 1788, in the Parish of St. Ann’s, Blackfriars, London. We know he was a gunsmith from the Last Will and Testament of his father William who stated “I first give a set of tools in my trade as a Gunsmith to my son Fisher Boss to be selected by my son and Executor William Boss (William’s first son and elder brother to Fisher and Thomas)
from my workshop as soon as my said son Fisher Boss shall have attained his age of twenty-one years”. With the will being proved in 1809 and Fisher almost 21 years of age when his father died, it can only be surmised
that perhaps Fisher made this gun as a one off piece or actually went into business for a short time with a likely date of manufacture of circa 1810. See Donald Dallas, “Boss & Co., Best
Gunmakers”, 2nd Edition, pp. 14-15 with the gun illustrated on p. 15. With browned Damascus barrels with concave rib, bead front sight and recessed patent breeches, the breeches each with gold lined touch
hole and a gold inlaid line, the rib section between engraved with stylized foliage. Casehardened foliate scroll engraved standing breech and flat beveled locks, the locks each engraved with small game birds and with pierced cock, stepped tail, raised waterproof priming pan, roller frizzen and signed “F. BOSS”. Engraved
furniture including trigger plate with pineapple finial, and blued trigger guard and heel plate. The bow of the trigger guard and tang of the heel plate each with small vignette respectively involving a dog flushing a pheasant and a two partridge. Well-figured walnut half-length stock with checkered grip and forearm, the wrist inset with a small vacant silver initial escutcheon. Brass mounted wooden ramrod. CONDITION: Very good. The refinished barrels have been struck off prior to rebrowning resulting in the proof marks on the underside of
the breech ends being very worn, potentially such striking off could have removed a barrel or rib signature. The breeches, standing breech and locks each have traces of original casehardened finish. The engraving is clear throughout. Both cocks are replacements with crisp engraving and strong casehardened finish. The stock has attractive patina, scattered age related storage and handling marks and bruises, crisp checkering and a small insert repair to the left edge of the forearm within the checkering. The trigger guard and heel plate have 75% of the older reblued finish and clear engraving. Later ramrod. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 7,000 - 11,000
OT 1270
Gold Accented French Flintlock Double
Barrel Shotgun with Relief Carved Stock - NSN, 20 gauge,
34 inch solid rib bbl., blue/gold/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
This is a classic French double barrel flintlock shotgun. The barrels have thin
gold bands at the muzzles, a gold arrow through the blade front sight, “CANON”
and “TORDU” (twisted barrel) on top of the barrels at the breech, a proof and “26” on the left at
the breech, inspection marks along with “TORDU” and what appears to be “CL CHAMPA[?]EY” on the
bottom at the breech, gold floral designs and bands as well as sunken “LF” marks at the breech, and golden liners. The locks and furniture are engraved with scenes with various animals along with some floral accents. The stock has “batwing” designs carved at the forend tip and front of the flats, floral borders, checkering with scalloped borders, a boar’s head carved on the bottom of the wrist, a small silver escutcheon on the wrist, and a
nicely shaped shallow cheek rest. The ramrod fits deep within the stock.
CONDITION: Very good with crisp engraving, most of the original gold remaining, traces of original case colors and blue finish, gray and brown patina on the balance, left barrel obstructed close to the muzzle, warped ramrod, splice repair on the right above the wedge, crisp checkering and carving, and mild scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK BOSS & CO., BEST GUNMAKERS BY DALLAS
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