2546

VERY FINE MOUTIER LEPAGE OVER-UNDER PERCUSSION RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
VERY FINE MOUTIER LEPAGE OVER-UNDER PERCUSSION RIFLE.
NSN. Cal..490 Groove diameter. (10 narrow rounded grooves) 20" Blued over-under octagonal bbls with solid, concave top rib, silver inlaid "Lepage Moutier a Paris", is fitted with one standing leaf rear sight with long, flip-up ladder sight dovetailed through, and silver square blade front sight, also dovetailed through. Bottom flat of bottom bbl is silver inlaid "Acier Fondu". A sling loop is screwed to bottom bbl. A steel ramrod with cylindrical silver tip is held by two silver thimbles with beaded ends attached by screws to left side of bbls. Patent breech with fine acanthus engraving on rib extension, has well filed fences. Breech iron and trigger plate have deeply molded borders, as do unmarked back action island locks with well filed, scroll decorated, tall, serpentine hammers. Cast hallmarked silver scrolled trigger guard has full relief boar's head on bow, undoubtedly portraying the intended quarry of this fast handling, short barreled rifle. Piano finished, slightly burl figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/8" over steel buttplate, which matches other furniture in style. Drop at heel: approx 2-1/4", drop at comb: approx 1-9/16". Weight: 8 lbs. 7 oz. LOP: 14-1/8". CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain over 85 - 90% of their orig brilliant nitre blue, silvered on high points of octagons and edges of rib. All other metal appears to have been finished bright, and shows some considerable spotting, but no deep pitting. Stock retains nearly all of its orig french polish with numerous minor knocks, dings, and scratches. Worn through and darkening at areas around grip. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny. Locks crisp. 4-49599 MGM44