See this week’s 5 doubles you don’t want to miss …

Stephen Grant Classic Hammer Sidelever
Stephen Grant Classic Hammer Sidelever

Stephen Grant Classic Hammer Sidelever: Serial Number: 4896, Barrels: 30 inches, Action: SE, Triggers: Double Trigger, Gauge: 12 Gauge, LOP: 15 1/2 inches, Weight: 7 lbs. 2 oz. Cased with original gamebooks. Gamebooks detail all the game that was taken with the shotgun from its original estate. The shotgun was gifted to the gamekeeper when he retired and was then passed down to his kin before being exported to the United States. Price: $9,995

Extremely fine Parker VH 20ga with original hang tags
Extremely fine Parker VH 20ga with original hang tags

Extremely fine Parker VH 20ga with original hang tags: Rarely do we find Parkers in high original condition – even more rarely do we find them with original hang tags. Even more rare than that, is to have the lineage of the gun from the day it was born until today. This little VH 20ga was purchased by legendary Parker collector, Charlie Price from the original owner’s son some 30+ years ago.  The gun is a fine VH 20ga with 28″ Vulcan steel barrels made in 1921 and letters almost exactly as found today. It has a splinter forend, double triggers, extractors, and auto safety. The gun has a full pistol grip buttstock and the original DHBP. A photo of the PGCA Letter is attached. The gun remains in superb original untouched condition with more than 85% original case color. The barrels retain about 90% original blue with some minor spotting towards the muzzle. Stocks are crisp and sound and retain more than 95% original finish. The gun measures 14″ LOP with drops of 1-1/2″ and 3″ at heel- exactly as ordered. Gun has original 2-1/2″ chambers. Chokes measure .005 in the right and .017 in the left with bores both measuring .622. MWT are .022 (R) and .024(L). Original hangtags included. Finding these high condition smallbore Parkers is fun and this one is a gem. Having been the best one Charlie Price was able to acquire is like the cherry on top!  Price: $8995

Arrieta 2" 12 Gauge Sidelock SxS Spanish Shotgun:
Arrieta 2″ 12 Gauge Sidelock SxS Spanish Shotgun:

Arrieta 2″ 12 Gauge Sidelock SxS Spanish Shotgun: 28″ Chokes: IC – Full L.O.P. : 15″ Drop: 1 1/2″ C x 2 1/4″ H Weight: 6 lbs 1 oz Ser. #: 570324899. Price: $5,950

Ruger 28 Gauge Red Label 99% in factory box
Ruger 28 Gauge Red Label 99% in factory box

Ruger 28 Gauge Red Label 99% in factory box: Made in 1996 with a straight grip stock and 26″ barrels.  It includes the original factory box, and retains 99% of the factory original finish.  The left side of the receiver near the bottom has one scratch that is visible in the photos.  It appears to have been fired very little and locks up proper and tight. These small frame 28 gauge Rugers are a delight to handle.  The stock has a length of pull of 14.25″ to the factory buttplate.  Includes all five factory choke tubes and wrench. All original and correct in every respect, featuring a nicely figured walnut buttstock. Price: $2,050

J. P. Sauer & Sohn - Habicht Ejector - - 1944 - - WWII Production - Great Quality & Great Dimensions
J. P. Sauer & Sohn – Habicht Ejector – – 1944 – – WWII Production – Great Quality & Great Dimensions

J. P. Sauer & Sohn – Habicht Ejector – – 1944 – – WWII Production – Great Quality & Great Dimensions: 1944 – J. P. Sauer Sohn – Habicht Ejector – 12ga, 28-3/8″, 2-3/4″, IM / F, Raised Solid Rib, Third Bite, Double Triggers, LOP 14-5/8″, Drop 1-9/16″ to 2-7/16″, Slight Cast Off, Weight 6 lbs. 6 oz. Solid – Tight Gun. All Original. Excellent Bores. Price: $1575

This week’s good guns: Powered by Gunsinternational.com …

Stephen Grant & Sons, London. Exceedingly rare and fine light weight “Twelve-Twenty” self-opening game gun finished out with 20ga. barrels, ca. 1948, Pic Copyright Lewis Drake & Associates, www.drake.net
Stephen Grant & Sons, London. Exceedingly rare and fine light weight “Twelve-Twenty” self-opening game gun finished out with 20ga. barrels, ca. 1948, Pic Copyright Lewis Drake & Associates, www.drake.net

Stephen Grant & Sons, London. Exceedingly rare and fine light weight “Twelve-Twenty” self-opening game gun finished out with 20ga. barrels, ca. 1948Weight: only 5 ½ Lbs.  Stock Dimensions: 15 3/8”x 1 3/8”x 2 3/8”x 3/8” cast-off.  Superb 28” chopperlump steel barrels with original 2 ¾” 1 oz. proofs have absolutely mint bores (.619”/.620”), choked .007”/.025”, and minimum walls .028”/.029”.  Beautifully sculpted and engraved, Baker 1913 patent, self-opening action is fitted with absolutely peerless quality, locks by Chilton & son. For those not familiar with this action and lock design I suggest you do a bit of reading. This happens to be my favorite of all the great British self-opening mechanisms. Overall this magnificent example, complete with original maker’s case and accessories, remains in virtually mint condition throughout and is a great rarity.  Price: $57,500

WESTLEY RICHARDS DROPLOCK SXS 12 GAUGE
WESTLEY RICHARDS DROPLOCK SXS 12 GAUGE

WESTLEY RICHARDS DROPLOCK SXS 12 GAUGE30″ BARRELS 024 AND 036 2 1/2″ CHAMBERS DOUBLE TRIGGER EJECTORS SPLINTER FOREARM ENGLISH GRIP MAKERS CASE EXCELLENT ORIGINAL UNTOUCHED CONDITION WITH LIGHT BLUE WEAR AND LIGHT HANDLING MARKS IN THE WOOD 6LBS 5 OZ X 2 1/4″ X 1 7/16″ X 14 1/4″. Price: $12,500

Westley Richards Flintlock Blackpowder Side-by-SideWestley Richards Flintlock Blackpowder — Gun remains in very good condition; flintlock hammer gun with very modest scroll engraving on the lock plates and hammers, steel butt plate and damascus barrels. Price: $8,500

Westley Richards Flintlock Blackpowder Side-by-Side
Westley Richards Flintlock Blackpowder Side-by-Side
Arrieta 803 20 gauge SxS Double Barrel Shotgun
Arrieta 803 20 gauge SxS Double Barrel Shotgun

Arrieta 803 20 gaugeHolland & Holland 7 pin hand removable sidelock. Purdy style hand engraving. Double triggers with front articulated trigger. Churchill type rib. Holland & Holland assited opener. English walnut straight handed stock and splinter forend with hand rubbed finish. Barrels are 26 5/8″ choked Mod and IM.  LOP is 14″ from the front trigger to center of the leather covered 1″ pad. Demensions are1 1/2″drop at comb, and 2 3/8″, with slight cast on for a right handed shooter.
This fine gun is 98% overall condition, with the case colors (99%) in near perfect condition, the blueing very fine (98%) with only 1 blemish (see photo) from the gun safe on left barrel, wood is in excellent condition with only very slight handling marks (98%). Price: $5700

Beretta 686 Onyx, 20-Gauge, OU Shotgun, 28" bbls
Beretta 686 Onyx, 20-Gauge, OU Shotgun, 28″ bbls

Beretta 686 Onyx, 20-Gauge, OU Shotgun, 28″ bbls: Price: $1,299.99

Caliber: 20-Gauge.
Chambers: 3″
Metal Condition: Very good with minor blemishes.
Wood Condition: Very good with minor blemishes.
Bore Condition: Shiny.
Barrels: 28″
Triggers: Single select.
Stock: Chekcered walnut.
Stock Dimensions:
LOP 13½”, DAH 2″, DAC 1½”.
Fore End: Checkered walnut.
Butt Pad: Polymer recoil pad.
Weight: 5-lbs., 15-ozs.
Sights: Front bead.
Chokes: 2-chokes: IC, IC

This week’s good guns: powered by Gunsinternational.com…

Stephen Grant 12 gauge hammergun, Jones lever, 30" damascus barrels
Stephen Grant 12 gauge hammergun, Jones lever, 30″ damascus barrels

Stephen Grant 12 gauge hammergun, Jones lever, 30″ damascus barrels: Back-action locks. Straight-gripped stock, keyed forend, double triggers, Nitro proofed for 2 3/4″ loads, 14 7/8″ LOP, 6lbs, 5 oz.

Beretta SV-10 Prevail III 12ga. 32″ Sporting Clays gun: Combines innovative features like Q-stock, selective ejection/extraction and a removable trigger group with the same old-world craftsmanship that has made Beretta the choice of champions around the globe for decades.  Featuring Beretta’s dual-conical locking system and low profile receiver for superior balance and handling characteristics, and game scene engraving on receiver. Price: $2,798.00

Beretta SV-10 Prevail III 12ga. 32" Sporting Clays gun
Beretta SV-10 Prevail III 12ga. 32″ Sporting Clays gun
12 gauge Manufrance Ideal. Grade 3. Double Barrel Shotgun
12 gauge Manufrance Ideal. Grade 3. Double Barrel Shotgun

Manufrance “Ideal”. 12g. Great dimensions and features. Grade 3:  Dating from 1929. The French round action and like the Dickson, built on a trigger plate. Straight-grip stock, double triggers, 14 1/4″ LOP, 2 3/4″ chambers, Retractable Sling, 6lb 6oz. Price: $2,600

Browning Citori Superlight Feather 16ga 28″ barrel 16 gauge NIB: Brand New In Box. Price: $2,399

Browning Citori Superlight Feather 16ga 28" barrel Brand New In Box
Browning Citori Superlight Feather 16ga 28″ barrel Brand New In Box

BROWNING SUPERPOSED 12 GA. GRADE 1: (PRE-WAR 1936) – 28″ BARRELS  –  CHOKES F/M  – 80% BLUE ON BARRELS  – SIDES  70% – BOTTOM ABOUT 45% -TAND 0%  –  BORES MINT : Price: $1545

BROWNING SUPERPOSED 12 GA. GRADE 1, Double Triggers
BROWNING SUPERPOSED 12 GA. GRADE 1, Double Triggers

 

Auction alert: exceptional 12 gauge Stephen Grant side by side…

12 gauge Stephen Grant & Sons Best Quality London Sidelock, double barrel SxS shotgun
12 gauge Stephen Grant & Sons Best Quality London Sidelock, double barrel SxS shotgun

Stephen Grant was one of the 19th century’s finest gunmakers. Today, he may be one of the under appreciated. Born in 1821 in Tipperary, Ireland, he started his apprenticeship in Dublin and then moved to London where he worked with Charles Lancaster and Thomas Boss.

In 1867, Grant went out on his own. He quickly became one of England’s top gunmakers with warrants from cream-of-the-crop royals like the Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth, and the King of Spain, as well as orders from Aristos and rich people from around the world. By the time of his death in 1898, Stephen Grant was one of London’s most respected gunmakers. If you take a good look at the wonderful 12 gauge Stephen Grant pictured here, you’ll see why – and why his shotguns are as nice as anything turned out by Purdey, Holland & Holland, or Boss.

12 gauge Stephen Grant Double Barrel Shotgun with Sidelever, 1897
12 gauge Stephen Grant Double Barrel Shotgun with Sidelever, 1897

This Grant is coming up in Little John’s annual May antique and sporting guns auction which starts today. It was made around 1897. The tight, scroll engraving, fluted fences, and sidelever-action are all signature styles of Grant doubles. I’m 99.9% certain that it was re-barrelled by Atkin, Grant & Lang in the 1950s, and the new, fluid-steel bbls look like they’re close to untouched since then. Here’s more about it from the auctioneer:

12 gauge Stephen Grant Double Barrel Shotgun with Sidelever, 1897
12 gauge Stephen Grant Double Barrel Shotgun with Sidelever, 1897

Lot 545: 12 gauge Stephen Grant & Sons Best Quality London Sidelock, double barrel SxS shotgun: Serial # 6957. Originally one of a pair. The gun is cased in and leather covered oak case. 28” barrels, double triggers, auto-ejectors. Nitro proved for 2 ½” shells, 3 ton proof on each barrel. Choke IC/Mod. Barrels show 90% to 95% original blue with good sharp markings and edges with wall thickness measuring .35 right and .38 left. The action and lock plates retain 50% to 70% original case hardening. The stocks are very good plus with excellent wood to metal fit and crisp checkering. 14 ¼” LOP, 2 1/4” drop at the heel and 2” drop at the comb with slight cast off approximately ¼” at the toe and 5/8” at heel . The bore is bright. The case shows a red felt interior with some slight repairs in areas where rubbed but is in overall at least good to very good condition. Est.: $5000-$10,000

12 gauge Stephen Grant Double Barrel Shotgun with Sidelever, 1897
12 gauge Stephen Grant Double Barrel Shotgun with Sidelever, 1897
12 gauge Stephen Grant Double Barrel Shotgun with Sidelever, 1897
12 gauge Stephen Grant Double Barrel Shotgun with Sidelever, 1897
12 gauge Stephen Grant Double Barrel Shotgun with Sidelever, 1897
12 gauge Stephen Grant Double Barrel Shotgun with Sidelever, 1897

This week’s good guns, powered by Gunsinternational.com…

12 gauge Perazzi Game Gun, Over Under Shotgun
12 gauge Perazzi Game Gun, Over Under Shotgun

PERAZZI – – Light Game Gun, 27-1/2″ – IC / M – Great Condition: 2-3/4″, IC / M (.007 / .015), LOP 14-3/8″, Drop 1-3/8″ to 2″, Neutral Cast, Weight 6 lbs. 10 oz. Condition 96+%. A few minor handling marks on the stock, and some very light high edge wear on the receiver. Price: $4,150.00

J.P. Sauer .410 Over & Under Double Barrel Shotgun
J.P. Sauer .410 Over & Under Double Barrel Shotgun

JP SAUER BEST PRE WAR O/U 410: Made in 1936, 26” bbls, Full & Full, 3” chambers, double triggers, ejectors, field forend, pistol grip, incredible engraving and  carving. Excellent original condition. 5lb 5oz. Stock 2 3/8 X 1 1/2 X 14 ½. Price: $35,000

Browning B25 Traditional 20 gauge Superposed O/U Shotgun
Browning B25 Traditional 20 gauge Superposed O/U Shotgun

Browning B25 Superposed “Traditional” 20 ga: Made in 1997, model is no longer available. 28″ demi-block barrels – not monoblock. Factory fitted invector chokes. 100% case color hardening. Round knob, long tang stock, 14-3/8″ over the original buttplate. In original Browning case, with additional chokes in Browning-marked leather pouch, and all the original papers. 99.9% condition. 6 lbs, 2 oz. Price: $8,750

Charles Lancaster 16 gauge O/U double barrel shotgun
Charles Lancaster 16 gauge O/U double barrel shotgun

Charles Lancaster 16 gauge, O/U, 1911: Excellent conditon with horn forend tip and leather recoil pad.  Includes a letter of authenticity from Lancaster showing manufacture date and that the chamber was lengthened to 2-3/4″ in 1950 by Lancaster in London. Choked English 1/4 & ½. Stock dimensions:  LOP 14-7/8″; DAC 1-5/8″; DAH 2-3/8; Cast-off 1/4″. Price: $9,995.00

12 gauge Stephen Grant side-by-side hammergun
12 gauge Stephen Grant side-by-side hammergun

Stephen Grant hammer 12 gauge in wonderful condition: Outstanding high grade Grant with great wall thickness and bright bores. 30” Damascus bbls, 2 ½” chambers, Black powder proof, Choke .002 & .006, Stock: 14 ¼” x 1 7/16” x 2 ¼”. Price: $9,800