3190 SHOSTLE ENGRAVED BROWNING HI-POWER SEMI-AUTO

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 May 10 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 2,500.00 USD
Estimated at 5,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
PISTOL SET. Cal. 9m/m P (9mm Luger). S# 76C09352. Bbl. 4 3/4" with matching engraving at port. Mfg. 1976 with factory adjustable sights; serrated ramped blade on corresponding ramped base plus dovetailed rear having sighting portion with matte blued finish. Stunning example showcasing the work of America's master engraver, Ben Shostle of Muncie, IN who founded the Firearms Engraving Guild of America and was its past president. Shostle style deep relief carving with scrolls. The finish is satin nickel that appears stainless. There are two engraving signatures; at the rear edge of the magazine well and on the outer curve of the dust cover (left side) just forward of the trigger guard. Bottom of dust cover has German waffle style engraving with punch dots. Extensive coverage to include its front sight and gold plated trigger. Grip straps have lesser degree of engraving being mostly at the base of each. Standard Belgian markings on front corners of trigger guard and left side of slide. Scrimshawed ivory grips of Browning pattern with raised panels having Victorian style images of ladies in evening gowns; each is distinctly different with Shostle's daughter's signature of "bb" (Benita Bonshire) on each panel. Internet research has shown his scrimshawed signatures as "bbs"; these grips clearly do no have the "s". Wonderful work of art on a firearm with world wide appeal. MAGS: 1 factory 13 round with push button base, black plastic follower, matte nickel finish and minimal function wear; does not drop free having minimal resistance. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: exceptional (near excellent with occasional light exterior handling marks) fitted case of English style with dark maroon velvet outlines for the pistol and its accessories; padded velvet under lid that is hinged with barrel style hidden hinges. Centered, single brass key lock latch (no key). Ivory manufactured (or decorated) tools having gold plated metal parts. All ivory oil bottle with threaded stopper / applicator. Cleaning rod with end drilled and tapped for cleaning items; ivory handle. Ivory handled dust brush resembling a shaving cream bush. Two ivory handled "turn screws" with identical appearance except for blades of each being 90 degrees apart from each other in reference to handle orientation. Shostle sales brochure and special props for holding the lid on display. CONDITION: trigger has thinning finish on its face and is missing the magazine safety mechanism that would normally allow magazines to drop free; they release with minimal resistance. Small section of missing ivory on butt of left grip where there is a change from magazine well width to backstrap width; it appears that extra material was removed in error when made and a bit of amber colored material (epoxy?) was added but not sufficient to fill the void (only visible with direct view of butt). All other aspects of the pistol are near excellent with new, unfired appearance. (25-222/NW). MODERN. $5,000-8,000.