2203

MASTERFULLY ENGRAVED AND GOLD INLAID O/U

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,500.00 USD Estimated At:7,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
MASTERFULLY ENGRAVED AND GOLD INLAID O/U

SIDEPLATED BLITZ ACTION EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE WITH EXTRA SHOTGUN BARRELS BY FRANZ SODIA WITH SCOPE & CASE. Cal. 257 Roberts / 16 Ga., 2 3/4". S# 12377. The 23 5/8" demi-bloc rifle barrels are fitted with full length matted rib; central portion cut away forming quarter rib, holding standing leaf rear sight and scope bases; as well as front ramp holding gold bead. "Franz Sodia Ferlach" is gold inlaid on central unmatted portion of rib. Bottom barrel is stamped with 1963 Ferlach nitro proofs and ".257 ROB". 27 1/2" demi-bloc shotgun barrels are fitted with full length matted ventilated rib with gold maker's name. Ferlach nitro proofs also date to 1963. Sling loops are fitted to both barrels sets. Gray finish side plated blitz double Kirston O/U action features automatic safety ("S" inlaid in gold) bushed strikers, pin cocking indicators at center of sideplates and gold plated double triggers (front set). Action is engraved with full coverage exceptionally well cut, semi relief shaded scroll which off sets exceptional relief carved game scenes which spill over on to sideplates. Left side depicts a trio of big horn sheep walking and jumping through rocky alpine environment. Right side depicts a trio of ducks taking wing from marsh while being vexed by a fox. Trigger plate has scene of calling auerhann on branch while his prospective mate watches. Major subjects are rendered in relief gold and are finely detailed. Backgrounds are quite good as well, bordering on exceptional. No engravers signature is found. Reinforcing bolsters are relief engraved in scrolling thistle leaves which end in flowers at top. Blued top lever has thumb piece pierced and sculpted in the form of a woodcock and the monogram "AHS" is gold inlaid. Floral pierced trigger guard has "Franz Sodia Ferlach" surrounding a large "S" gold inlaid. S# is on trigger guard tang. Well figured and lightly marbled European walnut, capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14" over ribbed hard rubber buttplate. Stock features shadow line right hand cheekpiece and multi-point pattern checkering at grip. A sling loop and steel cartridge trap engraved in checkerboard fashion are on toeline. Ejector forend with Deeley release serves both barrel sets. MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: U .669". O .669". RESTRICITON: U .023" (mod). O .032" (full). Wall thickness: U .040". O .040". STOCK: DAH: 2 7/16". DAC: 1 5/16". CAST: about 1/2" off. LOP: 14". WEIGHT: 6lb. 14 oz. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: rifle barrels are fitted with Kahles Helia 2.3-7X scope with three post reticle in claw mounts (rear with windage adjustment). Combo is housed in black leather case with brass hardware, lined in green cloth. Case has space for action and 3 sets of barrels. CONDITION: exceptionally fine, retaining nearly all factory finishes on both wood and metal, with a few scratches in metal, and a fair number, perhaps 8 or 10 in wood. Some are fairly heavy especially on forend. All bores are bright and shiny without noted problems, mechanically fine. Scope is fine, optically clear. Case leather is good with some marks and rubs. Interior cloth shows compressions and marks. (22-5863/MGM). CURIO. $7,000-10,000.