Boss & Co builds fantastic doubles. But some of their guns are peculiar–like the SxS you see here. With double beads on the action, banner-style engraving, and lovely patina, it’s one of the nicest pre-WW1 Boss side-by-sides I’ve seen. But it does have a quirk.
Compare its forend to the forend on other Boss SxSs (like this one) and you’ll see it: The missing diamond-shaped medallion in the center of the checkering. That medallion seats the screw going up through the forend, and into the iron. Some makers don’t use a connection like this to pull these pieces together. But every other Boss I’ve ever seen does — except this one. So what’s up?
The forend on that quirky 12 gauge Boss SXS. No medallion.
I have no idea. Does this shotgun have standard Boss ejectors? Yup. Is everything else about the forend the same as on other Boss SxSs from the same period? Yup, again. Is the forend wood thinner than on other Boss SxSs? Nope. Could the gun have been ordered this way? Perhaps — but unlikely. I can’t imagine a customer specifying a detail like that. They would have to be a bigger doublegun dork than I am.
A ’30s era Boss SxS with the forend medallion found in all their other SxSs
So what could I be? Perhaps it was just what gunmaker had available at the moment, or perhaps he wanted to try something else out. Or maybe the piece was lost and the foreman say “Make it right or you’re not getting paid” to the guy who messed up. We’ll never know.
What we do know is that it’s beautiful. I wish it were mine.
BTW: Just to set things straight, I think this gun is 100% right. I’ve had it in my hands, and it’s great.
F.lli. Rizzini R1 20 gauge SxS Shotgun: Sidelock double. Serial # 1308. 2 3/4″ chambers. 26″ chopper lump bbls, IC/Mod. hand matted rib, Stunning deep ” sculptured ” engraving by Sosta Gianfranco (deceased). Straight hand stock with highly figured turkish walnut, dropper points, and splinter forend. Checkering is perfect 32 LPI. Stock dimensions are 14 1/8″ LOP to center of checkered butt from a single trigger. 1 1/4 ” – 2 1/4 ” drop at heel without cast. 6 1/4 lbs.
This beautiful R1 Rizzini was made for Ambercrombie and Fitch in 1974 ( letter from Rizzini ) both names lettered in gold on barrels. Gun remains in “as new” condition. The overall fit and finish and handling qualities of this Rizzini indicates the degree of hand work that was performed on their “best” guns during this period. A fantastic bird gun. Leather VC case with makers label. Price:$31,500
LEBEAU COURALLY GRAND LUXE SIDELOCK SXS 12 GAUGE: MADE 1972 ROUND ACTION SIDELOCK 27 1/2″ 005 AND 021 2 3/4 DOUBLE TRIGGER EJECTORS SPLINTER FOREARM ENGLISH GRIP CHECKERED BUTT EXCELLENT PLUS CONDITION 6LBS 9 OZ X 2 1/2″ X 1 1/2″ X 14 3/4″. Price:$22,500
LEBEAU COURALLY GRAND LUXE SIDELOCK SXS 12 GAUGEJOSEPH LANG SIDELOCK SIDE-BY-SIDE 12GA, CUSTOM, 2 BL SET
JOSEPH LANG SIDELOCK SIDE-BY-SIDE 12GA, CUSTOM, 2 BL SET: 12GA, CUSTOM, 2 BL SET, SIDELOCK EJECTOR, 30″ BARRELS, ONE SET CHOKED .022 AND .035, SECOND SET TRUE CYLINDER AND .019. BARRELS ARE CHOPPER LUMP. EARLY GUN DATES FROM 1913. ENGLISH STRAIGHT STOCK, 14 3/8 PULL TO A LEATHER BUTT , 1 1/4 x 2 3/4 DROP, SINGLE TRIGGER, HIGH QUALITY BOUQUET AND SCROLL ENGRAVING, CLASSIC LOOK, NICE LOOKING GUN IN GREAT SHAPE, CASED, WITH LETTER FROM DOUGLAS TATE OF BRITISH GAME GUNS. Price:$17,500
CHARLES DALY EMPIRE GRADE OVER UNDER 12GA
CHARLES DALY EMPIRE GRADE OVER UNDER 12GA: 28″ Krupp vent rib barrels … 2 3/4″ chambers … choked Full/ExFull … weight 7 lbs 2 oz … LOP 14 3/8″ over leather covered 1″ recoil pad … drop comb 1 1/2″ … drop heel 2 1/2″ … cast off 1/4″ … double, hand checkered, triggers, with front trigger articulated … ejectors … automatic safety. The top of the rib is imprinted “Charles Daly Empire Quality.”
This is an outstanding Prussian Daly from the pre-war era. All of the metal including the trigger guard, operating lever, tang, forend hardware and the grip cap are profusely covered in acanthus leaf scroll engraving. This same scroll surrounds game scenes on the receiver of pointing dogs on the left, a covey of quail on the right and ducks on the bottom. The metal exhibits a mottled tarnished pewter and smokey grey patina which adds to the original deep relief engraving and makes it more appealing now, than decades ago when first created.
Dark, dark Turkish walnut was selected for the pistol grip stock and three piece forearm. Truly outstanding fler-de-lis checkering is generously spread over the grip surfaces. A narrow wedge of horn is inlaid at the tip of the forearm and the gold inset oval in the toeline has yet to be initialed. The barrels retail 95% of their blue, the bores are bright & excellent and the wood has seen exceptional care. This gun may be better now that when it was made. Price:$12,500
HEYM PRE WAR SXS DOUBLE RIFLE 405 WINCHESTER
HEYM PRE WAR SXS DOUBLE RIFLE 405 WINCHESTER: 24″ BARRELS WITH CLAW MOUNTS AND A PERIOD 4X SCOPE DOUBLE TRIGGER EXTRACTORS SPLINTER FOREARM PISTOL GRIP EXCELLENT ORIGINAL FINISH 8LBS 11 OZ X 14 1/4″ LOP REGULATED WITH LIVE ROUNDS AND READY TO GO. Price:$10,900
