CUSTOM PREWAR BROWNING SUPERPOSED SHOTGUN W/ STOCKWORK BY PAUL HODGINS & SUPERB GOLD INLAY & BULINO ENGRAVING BY LEE GRIFFITHS.
inv # 20-2449

Cal. 12 Ga., 2 3/4″
S# 11392. (1936)
Bbl. 26 1/8″

Starting w/ a pre war Browning superposed skeet gun, this interesting creation took shape. Sideplates were added to action & gun was restocked by noted ex Holland & Holland craftsman Paul Hodgins. The 26 1/8″ bbls. w/ ventilated rib have all early Browning marks. Action w/ gold plated single selective trigger has been impressively & masterfully engraved & gold inlaid by renowned engraver Lee Griffiths (no signature found). Top & bottom of action are engraved w/ relief shaded acanthus scroll. Sides & ornamental sideplates are engraved w/ a bouillabaisse of various game birds w/ upland game on left side & waterfowl on right. These birds appear to emerge out of a sea of engraved scroll, left side w/ central pheasant flanked by various species of quail w/ broad bands of inlaid gold as background. Right side depicts central swan flanked by Canada geese & mallards. A wood duck is toward front of scene. Detail is almost photographic in bulino technique. Bottom of action is engraved w/ a scene of what is most likely the man for whom this gun was made out hunting w/ his English pointer. A sign in background reads “Bird Lane” “Hunters Welcome”. Top lever thumbpiece is pierced & scroll carved. Trigger guard is engraved “en suite.” Buttstock of superb feather crotch & beautifully marbled European walnut features ebony capped long pistol grip & measures 15″ over black ostrich leather covered pad. In place of checkering, grip is full relief carved w/ acanthus scroll. This scroll extends up into comb & around sideplates. Matching schnabled 1 piece forend is of streaked walnut which matches wood through grip. Rear portion continues theme of relief carved acanthus.

MEASUREMEANTS: LOP: 15″. DAC: 1 1/2″. DAH: 2 1/4″. Cast: approx. 1/4″ off. WEIGHT: 7 lb. 9 oz.

PROVENANCE: From the Frederic W. Thrane Collection.

STATUS: CURIO