3359 UNIQUE & FINE 10 GA. HAMMER BLUNDERBUSS.

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This item SOLD at 2023 May 14 @ 15:53UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,500.00 USD
Estimated at 3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD

Cal. 10 Ga., 2 1/2". NSN. This gun is completely unmarked except for the names "P. Heuze Fr. & L. Mairlot" on barrel flats. (There are a number of Heuze gunmakers in Liege Belgium but none with the first initial "P.", there are no listings found for Mairlot). Flats are also marked "18.4" and "25" as there no offical proofs, it must be assumed that this gun was made or finished in Germany before 1891. It has 22 1/2" barrel made of very fine etched two stripe Damascus. Octagonal breech section is tapered and transitions to round with two turned rings and flares at muzzle to 2 7/8". Case hardened action with Jones underlever is configured in Germanic fashion with barrels lifting out of captive forend iron. Action is nicely filed and fitted with back spring lock having large chamfered serpentine hammer. Steel trigger guard screws into long trigger plate extending into butt. Straight grip buttstock of well streaked European walnut measures 14 1/4" over blued steel buttplate having long top tang which is also fitted with large trap with space underneath for two cartridges. Forend has horn tip and attaches to barrel with captive sidebolt through oval steel escutcheons. Weight: 9 lb. 9 oz. CONDITION: exceptionally fine. Appears unfired. Metal retaining over 95% original finishes with some high edge wear noted. Charcoal blue of operating lever and buttplate is also exceptionally fine with some minor marks. Finish on barrel is also exceptional showing off dramatic etched Damascus pattern. Buttstock retains nearly all of its original oil finish with a scattering of minor marks. Forend wood appears to be a very well done replacement or possible refinish. Horn tip appears to be original. Stock work is not quite up to the quality of the original, but matches well. Bore is bright and shiny, action is very tight, lock is crisp. One of the neatest guns this cataloger has seen in a long time. (01-22734/MGM). ANTIQUE. $3,000-5,000.