3391

VERY RARE ETHAN ALLEN TRAPDOOR BREECH SHOTGUN IN

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:750.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,500.00 USD
VERY RARE ETHAN ALLEN TRAPDOOR BREECH SHOTGUN IN
HIGHEST GRADE W/ SCROLL ENGRAVING & FANCY WOOD STOCK. Cal. 10 Ga. S# 150. Bbl. 36". Very few of these interesting & at the time innovative guns were made, this example being numbered 150 on extractor & breech block. This specimen also has very unusual 36" laminated steel bbls. Breech section appears to have been forged integral w/ bbls. & has flipover trapdoor breech w/ side locking latch. Top of breech block is marked w/ Ethan Allen company address & patent dates, the latest being 1866. Boxlock type firing mechanism is fitted w/ serpentine hammers & cartridge extractor is actuated by pushing down on trigger guard bow. Breech section & firing mechanism are scroll engraved at about 40% coverage. This well done scroll extends to trigger guard & tang. Buttstock is of crotch figured American walnut, measuring 14 1/2" over steel buttplate. Grip has widely spaced point pattern checkering w/ mullered borders. Nicely shaped drop points are behind hammers. Matching forend w/ inlet carved horn tip attaches to bbls. w/ sliding side bolt through oval steel escutcheons. CONDITION: very good. Bbls. retaining 30 - 40% original brown w/ some areas of light pitting & some active rust at muzzle. Breech block retains about 40% original case hardening. Remainder of breech retains about the same where protected; exposed areas are pewter to silver gray. Stocks appear to have had finish stripped & checkering lightly cleaned. There are some minor chips in wood behind hammer on left side & small slivers are missing on forend at top rear, both sides. There is no evidence of sanding & numerous light marks are present. Bores are very dirty, but appear to be lightly pitted. Locks work well. A rare gun in a very rare grade. (01-18077/MGM7). ANTIQUE. $1,500-2,500.