3444

Engraved Boss & Co. Marked Double Barrel Hammerless Sidelock Pigeon Shotgun

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:12,000.00 USD Estimated At:22,500.00 - 30,000.00 USD
Engraved Boss & Co. Marked Double Barrel Hammerless Sidelock Pigeon Shotgun
Thomas Boss worked for the great Joseph Manton before becoming an outworker to the London trade. In 1891 the Scotsman, John Robertson, was taken in as a partner. Under Robertson's control the company established itself as Londons best gun maker rivaled only by Purdys. Features a single brass bead sight on the smooth concave rib marked "BOSS & Co. 73 St JAMES'S STREET. LONDON." and a wedge of fine scroll engraving at the breech. Blue barrels, 2-3/4 inch chambers choked modified/improved modified with extractor. There are various nitro and crown proofs on the barrel lug and two "crown / V" proofs on the water table. The casehardened action and side plates are finely scroll engraved as well as the break lever, trigger guard, tangs, safety lever and forearm hardware. Each side of the action is marked "BOSS'S PATENT", each side plate is marked "BOSS & CO" in a banner and the trigger guard plate ahead of the trigger guard is marked "BOSS' S PATENT / No 22894". The engraving was reportedly done by Master Engraver Jack Sumner. Sumner had a workshop on Bateman Street, London from 1895 to 1915 and later worked for Boss and W. Pearshall, a Birmingham engraver. The barrels and trigger guard are blue and the remaining parts are casehardened. Double triggers, cocking indicators, tang mounted manual safety and mounted with triple X fancy, multi point checkered walnut forearm and pistol grip stock with tear drop flats and finely checkered bare butt. The shotgun is complete with the original walnut checkered splinter forearm (hardware absent), and round knob pistol grip stock with tear drop flats, checkered bare butt and gold initial oval inscribed "J.P.". Length of pull is 15 1/8".
BBL: 30 inch solid rib
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 12
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 5472


Professionally refurbished overall. The barrels have been "re-blackened" and retain all of the dark blue finish with only light handling marks. The trigger guard retains 98% original blue finish with some edge wear. 80% of the original case colors remain on the remaining parts with the balance having a smooth gray. The new made wood is excellent with only light handling marks and sharp checkering. The markings and engraving are clear. The action is excellent. The original stock and forearm are good with some scattered minor dents, dings and scratches, and some wear to the checkering which remains crisp.