2257

*EXQUISITE GOLD INLAID FABRIQUE NATIONALE BRUSSELS MILLENNIUM COMMEMORATIVE SUPERPOSED.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:6,250.00 USD Estimated At:12,500.00 - 20,000.00 USD
*EXQUISITE GOLD INLAID FABRIQUE NATIONALE BRUSSELS MILLENNIUM COMMEMORATIVE SUPERPOSED.
SN 45412S74. Cal. 12 ga. This fine gun, built to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of Brussels, has 28" ventilated rib bbls. They are gold inlaid "FABRIQUE NATIONALE HERSTAL BELGIQUE" and "SPECIAL STEEL 12 GA. SHELLS - 2-3/4" on top left, and "MADE IN BELGIUM - BROWNING PATENTS" on right. There are flourishes of 2-color gold raised inlay at breech end. Left side of breech area of bottom bbl is gold inlaid "PROSNA inc" "MUNSTER in". Blued action filed smooth without beads, featuring gold plated single trigger, is decorated with exceptionally fine, gold inlaid, full, raised, carved open acanthus scroll surrounding various devices significant to the founding of Brussels, Belgium, in the year 979. Left side depicts St. Michel (patron saint) with angels wings and halo, holding spear and shield, vanquishing the devil, with banners engraved "St MICHEL" and "BRUXELLES". Right side depicts a map of Europe including the British Isles, over long riband inscribed "979 BRUOCSELLA MILLENAIRE DE BRUXELLES 1979" around large relief gold fleur-di-lis. Bottom of action has inlaid rampant lion on shield surrounded by raised relief riband inscribed "979 MILLENNIUM VAN BRUSSEL 979". This theme extends to trigger guard which has more of this exceptionally well done scroll inlay either side of a large "B". SN is on grip. This very fine work is by well known engraver, Jean H. Diet, whose signature "INLAY BY, JEAN H. DIET, de SAROLAY" appears on trigger plate. This interesting gun is stocked in exceptional, dark, smoky European walnut with considerable fiddle figure. It is swan necked and features nicely carved drop points, 28 LPI modified point pattern checkering with carved beaded borders, and skip line checkered wood butt. Matching forend has schnabeled tip. Bore diameter: top -.724, bottom -.722. Bore restrictions: top -.038 (Full), bottom -.018 (Mod). Wall thickness: top-.040, bottom -.045. Drop at heel: 2-1/4", drop at comb: 1-3/8". Weight: 7 lbs. 9 oz. LOP: 14". Gun comes in Browning box. CONDITION: Excellent, essentially as new, appears unfired, with only slight marks from assembly and disassembly (and over 30 years of storage). Box is fine. 4-48128 MGM147