2187 VERY FINE DASSA ENGRAVED A&S CASTORE 16 GA. SELF-

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 Oct 31 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 4,000.00 USD
Estimated at 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
COCKING HAMMER EJECTOR GAME GUN WITH CASES. Cal. 16 Ga. 2-3/4". S# 1153. Made in 1995 when A&S were producing some of the finest shotguns in the world; this lively little gun has 29" well struck chopper lump barrels. The slightly raised ventilated narrow top rib is nicely matted. An unmated portion at rear is engraved "CASTORE" flanked by some scroll engraving. Barrel flats are stamped with 1995 Italian nitro proofs for 2-3/4" chambers. Bottom of right barrel is engraved with importer's name and address beside loop. Coin finished sidelock action with self-cocking external serpentine hammers also features non-automatic safety and double triggers (front articulated). Action is nicely filed with beads around lockplates and distinctive A&S ovate fences. Action is engraved with near full coverage very well cut miniscule scroll leaving polished accents of action beads and bases of fences. This fine scroll surrounds a Bulino scene on bottom depicting a woodcock flying into an opening. Lockplates are fully game scene engraved depicting game birds with a pair of chuckar partridge flying toward viewer from rocky hill side on left lock. Right lockplate depicts a pair of ring neck pheasant erupting from edge of corn field and heading into the open. This tasteful engraving; both scroll and Bulino scenes, are by the celebrated Mauro Dassa who's signature appears on trigger plate. Single beaded trigger guard is engraved with matching scroll and has S# on tang. Beautifully crotch figured and lightly streaked flesh tone Circassian walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/2" over serrated horn buttplate. Very closely spaced borderless point pattern checkering is at grip and a gold oval on toeline is engraved "M". Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .672. R 672. Restriction: L .020 (Mod). R .006 (IC). Wall thickness: L .019 (bottom about 13" behind muzzle otherwise mostly .025-.030). R .023. STOCK: DAH: 2-1/2". DAC: 1-9/16". CAST: neutral. LOP: 14-1/2". WEIGHT: 6 lb. 13 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: gun comes with tan leather motor case with stitched leather corners by Nizzoli. Case is lined in dark green cloth and has small black leather A&S label in lid. Case contains snap caps, original leather covered pad and key. Also included are a pair of russet colored leather Famars marked full length soft gun cases and a tan leather A&S marked takedown carrying case. Paperwork including invoices, proof and engraving certificates, pages from Famars catalog and copy of Double Gun Journal, Winter 1997, with article on Dassa brothers engraving. CONDITION: very fine with scant evidence of field use. Barrels retaining nearly all of their fine original blue with one or two minor handling marks. Action and locks retain essentially all of their coin finish without any evidence of darkening or cleaning. Stocks retain nearly all of their original oil finish with some minor marks mostly on forend. Newer buttplate has been fitted. Bores are bright and shiny throughout; without any noted problems. Action is tight. Mechanically crisp. Motor case is very fine with a few minor marks on exterior. Straps and handle are good. Interior is also very fine. Other leather cases show some scratches and wear mostly evident on takedown case. When last listed (2012) a Castore Deluxe hammer gun retailed for over $40,000. (25-4329/MGM). MODERN. $8,000-12,000.