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*WATRIN ENGRAVED FN SPECIAL ORDER GOLD INLAID SUPERPOSED ONCE BELONGING TO KING HASSAN II OF MOROCCO

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:8,750.00 USD Estimated At:17,500.00 - 22,500.00 USD
*WATRIN ENGRAVED FN SPECIAL ORDER GOLD INLAID SUPERPOSED ONCE BELONGING TO KING HASSAN II OF MOROCCO
SN 42763 S5. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4" Chambers. This specially made and exquisitely finished superposed has 28" ventilated rib bbls, hand engraved "Fabrique Nationale d' Armes de Guerre Herstal. Belgique" on left side of top bbl. MOD/FULL choke markings are present under ejectors. Beautifully polished and sculpted, blued, superposed action is engraved with exceptionally well done, multi-hued, gold inlay of orchids and leaves; flowers are in white gold with yellow gold pistils, leaves appear to be a sublime mixture of yellow, red, and green gold adding to perceived depth. Floral elements are surrounded by large, open, scrolled, wire inlay. All inlays are flush, but leaves and flowers are given additional depth by very well done Bulino shading. This fine inlay extends over bottom of action and onto trigger guard, as well as top lever. This truly masterful work is by noted FN engraver, A. Watrin, whose signature appears at the bottom right of left side of action. Gun is fitted with specially filed, checkered, blued trigger. Beautifully marbled, classically laid out European walnut long tang, round knob buttstock with carved drop points and point pattern checkering at grip, measures 14-3/4" over skip line checkered butt. A gold oval on toe line is engraved with script initials "H M" (Hassan Morocco ?). Well matching three piece forend has schnabeled tip. Bore diameter: top -.724, bottom -.725. Bore restrictions: top -.038 (Full), bottom -.024 (Mod). Drop at heel: 2-3/8", drop at comb: 1-7/16". Weight: 7 lbs. 7 oz. LOP: 14-3/4". Another of the King's guns is also in this auction. PROVENANCE: Information on Hassan II and history of this gun stating that it was made in 1965 and "These two guns were a present from King Hassan II of Morocco. I was a great friend of the kings and made many trips to his country as his private barber." "These guns were a gift from the King to me." CONDITION: Excellent. Metal parts retain essentially all of their beautifully polished high gloss finishes with some light scratches at bottom of action around front lump mortise. Extensions at rear portion of mortise are slightly bent. Stocks retain essentially all of their hand rubbed oil finish with one or two minor handling marks. Bores are excellent. Mechanically crisp. A truly stunning gun. 4-49173 MGM256