2286 FINE QUALITY ATTRACTIVELY ENGRAVED FRENCH SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN.

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,000.00 USD
Estimated at 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Cal. 12 Ga. 2-3/4". S# 29738. Well-made guns such as this often represent an incredible bargain in today's market. This gun has 27-5/8" well-struck chopper lump barrels fitted with a slightly raised matted game rib. Barrel flats are stamped with steel type "MI-BLOC," French "PT" marks, and choke regulator stamps "M. MERLEY." The bottoms of barrels are stamped with St. Etienne triple proofs. Coin-finished H&H type sidelock action stamped with Belgian proofs on the watertable as well as French proofs; features non-automatic safety ("SAFE" inlaid in gold) intercepting safety sears, a hidden third fastener, bushed strikers, an H&H type takedown screw, and double triggers (front articulated). Action is nicely filed, and fences are decorated with raised, carved foliate motifs. Remainder of action and lockplates are nearly fully engraved with game scenes, with a group of deer in an open meadow on the left side and a pointer and setter-pointing pheasant on the right. The bottom of the action is engraved with a group of five snipers, and a trio of pheasants are on the trigger guard bow. No maker's name is found, nor is there an engraver's signature present. The very nicely streaked and lightly fiddle-figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 15" over a tan leather-covered silver-type pad. Stock also features classic drop points, point pattern checkering, and a silver oval engraved "F.L.W." Matching splinter ejector for end has Anson release. MEASUREMENTS: Bbls: bore diameter: L .725; R .723. Restriction: L .036 (full); R .021 (mod). Wall thickness: L .026; R .024. STOCK: DAH: 2-3/16". DAC: 1-7/16". CAST: about 1/2" off. LOP: 15". WEIGHT: 6 lb., 14 oz. CONDITION: very fine. Barrels retain about 70% of their original blue. Action, with most of its coin finish, has little evidence of cleaning. Stocks retain most of their original oil finish, with a fair scattering of marks. Checkering is lightly worn, especially on the forend. Bores are bright and shiny, with some minor frosting in the right barrel. Action has a hint of looseness; almost all is side to side at the hook. Ejectors are strong and in time. A pretty darn good shotgun. (23-5529/MGM). CURIO. $2,000-3,000.