serial #33843, 20 ga. by 6.3mm (dimensionally it appears to be a Win. 25-20 SS), 26” Krupp Flusstahl barrels, choked modified and a light full, with bright excellent bores in all. The barrels retain perhaps 97% original rust blue which is drifting slightly to a plum, with a bit of muzzle wear and the expected light handling marks from field use. The rib is retailer marking “Sloans Sporting Goods Co. Inc. New-York” and there are very light bands of engraving at the sideclipped breeches. The barrel lug shows the capital “K” with smaller “FW” nestled within the K, trademark of FW Kessler. The scalloped boxlock frame shows only the very lightest borderline engraving and retains perhaps 97 to 98% original vibrant color case-hardening, muting only slightly on the high edges and carry point of the frame, the right fence with a couple light dings and a tiny spot of extremely light pinprick pitting; the long tang triggerguard with nearly all its original color case-hardening as well. The checkered capped pistolgrip European walnut buttstock and splinter style forend rate near excellent showing only very sparsely scattered handling marks here and there with crisp checkering, the forend showing a few more dings. Stock features a horn pistolgrip cap, nicely checkered cheeks, rounded left side shadowline cheekpiece and the length of pull to the basketweave horn buttplate is 14”. The buttplate shows some insect damage at its toe but it is unobtrusive and the arm features Greener safety, front single set trigger, pin-style cocking indicators and top of tang barrel selector. Proofed on the underside for 2 3/4” 20 ga. shells, the rifle barrel is marked “6.3 MM/41 1/2”. Utilizing The Hand Loaders Manual of Cartridge Conversions (© Donnelly) the chamber dimensions seem to be that of the Win 25-20 SS. As with any arm of an undetermined caliber, a competent gunsmith should make a caliber determination and check the headspace before any thought is given to using the arm. The arm is sighted with a silver bead front sight and automatic u-notch rear when the rifle barrel is selected. Lockup is with dual under bites and Greener crossbolt and the arm is tight on-face, seems to function well mechanically and was proofed in 1927. (39100-896) {C&R} [Richard “Stretch” Kennedy Collection] (1000/1500)
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