*H. ANTOINE BEST SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN ENGRAVED BY JOSEF FUGGER.

SN 2088. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 30″ Dovetailed steel bbls are engraved “H. Antoine Arq Bte 31 Avenue de Suffren Paris” on raised, matted rib. Gun is no. “2” of a pair, with gold inlaid “2” on rear portion of rib, top lever, and forend tip. There are 1-1/2″ triangles of well cut scrolled thistle flowers and leaves on breech ends of bbls. Bbl flats are stamped with Belgian nitro proofs for 2-3/4″ chambers. Choke information is stamped on bottoms of bbls, along with “Nickel Toledo Steelworks Sheffield”. H&H type sidelock action features automatic safety (S gold inlaid), bushed strikers, double triggers (front articulated), and H&H type bar locks which are hand detachable in Holland style with takedown pin on left side. Action is engraved with an array of sporting motifs surrounded by scrolled thistles; a pointer and setter are amidst a trio of pheasant, two on ground, one flushing on left lockplate. Right lockplate depicts another pointer and setter amidst covey of quail, two on ground, and two flushing. Background scenes are well detailed. Bottom of action depicts hunter and pointer toward rear, with mountains in background, with flushing ruffed grouse flying toward viewer. A pair of quail are flushing on trigger guard bow. This excellent and nicely appointed work is by noted engraver, Josef Fugger, whose signature appears on ribbon above hunter scene on bottom of action. Nicely marbled and figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/4″ over checkered wood butt, and features diamond hand, as well as point pattern checkering with line border at grip. Matching splinter ejector forend has vacant rectangular crest plate inlet into central diamond, and Anson release. Bore diameter: left -.728, right -.728. Bore restrictions: left -.021 (Mod), right -.010 (IC). Minimum wall thickness: left -.026, right -.025. Drop at heel: 2-3/8″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 6 lbs 12 oz. LOP: 14-1/4″. PROVENANCE: Thomas W. Connally Estate Collection. CONDITION: Excellent, as lightly refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a fine quality rust blue with some light flecking, and areas of corrosion along rib toward muzzle. Action retains nearly all of its coin finish, most likely done after engraving. Stocks retain nearly all of a rubbed oil finish with a few light handling marks, checkering nicely re-cut. Bores are excellent. Action tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Exceptionally well made gun further embellished by one of America’s acknowledged master craftsmen. 4-55641 (3,000-5,000) – Lot 2374

Auction: Firearms - March 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2374	$9,487.50	H. ANTOINE BEST SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN ENGRAVED BY JOSEF FUGGER. SN 2088. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 30″ Dovetailed steel bbls are engraved “H. Antoine Arq Bte 31 Avenue de Suffren Paris” on raised, matted rib. Gun is no. “2” of a pair, with gold inlaid “2” on rear portion of rib, top lever, and forend tip. There are 1-1/2″ triangles of well cut scrolled thistle flowers and leaves on breech ends of bbls. Bbl flats are stamped with Belgian nitro proofs for 2-3/4″ chambers. Choke information is stamped on bottoms of bbls, along with “Nickel Toledo Steelworks Sheffield”. H&H type sidelock action features automatic safety (S gold inlaid), bushed strikers, double triggers (front articulated), and H&H type bar locks which are hand detachable in Holland style with takedown pin on left side. Action is engraved with an array of sporting motifs surrounded by scrolled thistles; a pointer and setter are amidst a trio of pheasant, two on ground, one flushing on left lockplate. Right lockplate depicts another pointer and setter amidst covey of quail, two on ground, and two flushing. Background scenes are well detailed. Bottom of action depicts hunter and pointer toward rear, with mountains in background, with flushing ruffed grouse flying toward viewer. A pair of quail are flushing on trigger guard bow. This excellent and nicely appointed work is by noted engraver, Josef Fugger, whose signature appears on ribbon above hunter scene on bottom of action. Nicely marbled and figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/4″ over checkered wood butt, and features diamond hand, as well as point pattern checkering with line border at grip. Matching splinter ejector forend has vacant rectangular crest plate inlet into central diamond, and Anson release. Bore diameter: left -.728, right -.728. Bore restrictions: left -.021 (Mod), right -.010 (IC). Minimum wall thickness: left -.026, right -.025. Drop at heel: 2-3/8″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 6 lbs 12 oz. LOP: 14-1/4″. PROVENANCE: Thomas W. Connally Estate Collection. CONDITION: Excellent, as lightly refinished. Bbls retain nearly all of a fine quality rust blue with some light flecking, and areas of corrosion along rib toward muzzle. Action retains nearly all of its coin finish, most likely done after engraving. Stocks retain nearly all of a rubbed oil finish with a few light handling marks, checkering nicely re-cut. Bores are excellent. Action tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Exceptionally well made gun further embellished by one of America’s acknowledged master craftsmen. 4-55641 (3,000-5,000) – Lot 2374 Auction: Firearms - March 2015 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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*H. ANTOINE BEST SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN ENGRAVED BY JOSEF FUGGER.