serial #5853, 12 ga., 29 7/8” Krupp Flusstahl solid rib barrels choked a light full in both with bright about excellent bores which show a few very light remnants of some light oxidation staining or perhaps very sparsely scattered very light pinprick pitting. The barrels are primarily a dark gray-blue faded original blue which is drifting to plum in areas and toning to pewter at the muzzles. Barrels are maker marked on their right side and show light borderline engraving at their flared bolsters. The scalloped boxlock frame retains trace case colors, primarily a mottled case-hardened patina with open foliate Germanic scroll engraving with game scenes left and right, of the very finest quality. Left shows a hound with a downed rehbock and some flying waterfowl with running doe on the right, with a fox with a duck in its mouth, the excellent quality game scene engraving flowing onto the bow of the guard with a cock and hen pheasant. The checkered English walnut capped pistolgrip buttstock rates very good showing the expected light dings and handling marks from the years, the fine checkered panels with mullered borders and some light impact marks. The left side of the butt shows a rounded shadowline cheekpiece and the horn pistolgrip cap is neatly scalloped, showing a bit of insect damage or chipping. There are nice diamond-shaped horn inlays at the rear of each stock cheek and the arm has been fitted with a solid 1” Pachmayr pad for a 13 7/8” length of pull. The forend rates very good to fine with a nice horn tip insert and the beginnings of a small crack at the iron, showing a few more dings and handling marks. The underside of the barrels has a small blank area where a swivel base was removed, it is gray-toned and was lightly cold blued; there is a small plug along the toeline of the butt where a rear swivel was removed as well. Features double triggers, ejectors, pin-style cocking indicators and a Greener safety. The gun locks with dual under bites and Kersten crossbolt and is tight on face. The rib features a red Bradley style front and ivory midrib bead and has a couple dings down its length but they are very unobtrusive. The gun seems to function well mechanically with strong ejectors. When the barrels are removed the right ejector is no longer captivated, and its screw shows some slot damage, no doubt a fairly easy and quick repair. Both ejectors work perfectly as-designed when the gun is fully assembled. A handsome, heavily constructed German over under, with some very nice engraving. (39100-799) {C&R} [Richard “Stretch” Kennedy Collection] (1000/1500)
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