Page 447 - 4096-BOOK2

LOT 1522
Outstanding Factory
Jose Baerten Signed,
Master Engraved,
and Gold Inlaid Belgian
Browning .410 Bore C Grade
Exhibition Superposed Shotgun with Case - Serial no. C192, 410 gauge, 26 3/8
inch vent rib bbl., blue/gold finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in the mid-1970s,
this gun was part of a group of guns known as the “C Grade Exhibition” guns built
for the European market but brought into the United States by Browning. This gun
was built with blued Special Steel barrels featuring a single white bead sight on
the matted flat vent rib, standard factory markings, chokes marked “*”/”*” (full/full),
and 3 inch chambers with automatic ejectors. The barrels are fitted to the gorgeous
blued action with added sideplates giving extra embellishment surface for Master
Engraver Jose Baerten to work his magic. The gun is decorated with beautifully finely cut gold inlaid scrolling line borders surrounding a scene depicting a
dog flushing a pheasant cock from cover on the left sideplate, a quail in flight over a field on the right, and another quail in flight on the trigger guard, with
all of the animals relief inlaid in gold. Baerten has signed the left lockplate beneath the scene “J. BAERTEN”. The gun features a single gold trigger and a tang
mounted manual safety/selector with gold inlaid indicators. The gun is fitted with a attractive highly figured and multi-point checkered Schnabel forend with
engraved an blued iron as well as a straight hand stock with checkered butt. Includes a Browning Naugahyde takedown case. Barrel and stock measurements
(U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .404/.408 inches; choke constriction .023/.025 inches; 1 7/16 inch drop at comb; 2 3/16 inch drop at heel; 14
5/16 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs. 3 oz.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% bright original high polish blue and gold finishes with minor handling evidence and sharp checkering on the stock and
forend. Mechanically excellent (very tight). The case is excellent. Do not miss out on this opportunity to own a rarely encountered small bore Superposed shotgun!
Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000 445