2138 EXCEPTIONAL 20 GA. W. J. JEFFERY SIDELOCK

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This item SOLD at 2023 May 13 @ 12:09UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 5,000.00 USD
Estimated at 10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD

EJECTOR GAME GUN WITH CASE.
Cal. 20 Ga., 3". S# 38596. (CA 1949). The 28" dovetailed barrels fitted with slightly swamped narrow matted game rib are engraved "W. J. Jeffrey & Co. Ltd." " 9 Golden Square. London. W." on tops. Barrel flats are stamped with Birmingham nitro proofs for 20 Ga. 7/8 oz. shot and reproofs for 3" & 1 oz. shot. Case hardened small size sidelock action is stocked to the fences and features automatic safety, ("SAFE" inlaid in gold), square crossbolt third fastener, side clips, and double triggers. Action and lockplates are engraved with near full coverage classic rose and scroll. Maker's name is on each lockplate. Blued top lever and trigger guard are engraved to match, S# is on short trigger guard tang. Finely marbled and strikingly fiddle figured European walnut, straight grip buttstock measures 15 3/8" over brown leather covered pad. Stock features drop points, flat top point pattern checkering and a silver oval engraved "NEJ". Matching splinter Southgate ejector forend has Anson release. MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .615". R .615". RESTRICITON: L .015" (mod). R .011" (IC). Wall thickness: L .032". R .031". STOCK: DAH: 2 1/8". DAC: 1 1/2". CAST: about 1/4" off. LOP: 15 3/8". WEIGHT: 6 lb. 5 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: gun is housed in a vintage oak and leather case with brass corners and central medallion. Top is embossed "J.S. WHITE". Interior is lined in scarlet cloth and an old Jeffrey paper label is in lid. Case contains a square oil bottle. CONDITION: very fine original "as found". Barrels retaining about 80% original blue, showing light wear, there are some minor splotches of uncleaned rust and a thumb sized area toward rear of left barrel showing some loss of blue. Action and lockplates retain over 90% original case hardening color, showing some silvering on beads and bottom of forend iron. Trigger guard and buttplate show some silvering on high edges. Stocks retain nearly all of their original oil finish, with few marks associated with time in the field. Checkering shows light wear. Bores are bright and shiny with no noted problems, action is tight, barrels are on face, ejectors are strong and slightly out of time. Case leather shows some staining and rubs, newer straps are fine, original handle is good, renewed interior cloth shows some marks and light soiling. A very fine small bore "British Best". (22-5819/MGM). CURIO. $10,000-15,000.