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Product Details
BOSS & CO.
A SCARCE, EARLY PAIR OF 12-BORE ROUNDED-BAR GAME-SCENE ENGRAVED EASY-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTORS, serial no. 6601 / 2,
for 1919, 28in. nitro chopperlump barrels, the ribs engraved 'BOSS & CO. 13 DOVER STREET. PICCADILLY. LONDON. W.' and gold-inlaid '1' and '2' at the breech ends, some minor dents, No.1 with some exterior rust spotting, No.2 partially struck off, 2 1/2in. chambers, bored approx. imp. cyl. and 1/4 choke, rounded bar actions, toplevers gold-inlaid '1' and '2', automatic safeties with gold-inlaid 'SAFE' details, gold-inlaid cocking-indicators, fine acanthus scroll engraving with floral bouquets and scrolling banners engraved 'BOSS & CO', likely by John 'Jack' Sumner, the lockplates with finely engraved oval game scene vignettes, No.1 with pheasant and mallard, No.2 with hares, rolled-edge triggerguards with scenes of pointer and retriever, game scenes likely by Thomas Sanders or Harry Kell, the triggerplates with references to Boss single trigger patent 11278, No.2 ejector mechanism requires attention, 14 3/4in. well-figured stocks including 1/2in. ebonite extensions and 7/8in. leather covered recoil pads, minor repair to rear of top tang No.1, weight 6lb. 9oz. (No.1) and 6lb. 12oz. (No.2), in a relined brass-mounted oak and leather case with period trade label and some modern accessories, with a modern canvas and leather outer cover
Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed that the guns were ordered on the 27th May 1919 for a C.E. Hickman of Danes Court, Nr Northampton.
The order is for 'a pair of guns, two triggers, 12-bore, 28in. barrels, regular shooting', with 'rounded shoulders to stock, Round Body Action'.
Further notes under the 'remarks' read:
'Engraved as follows :-
No.1 a bird on each side & a dog on trigger guard (pointer)
No.2 a rabbit or hare on each side + another type of dog on triggerguard retriever
Specially selected good grain stocks'
with case + cover 235 Guineas £246.15. '
Other Notes: The rounded bar action Boss was first introduced in 1893 but few were made until they became popular in the 1930's. According to Donald Dallas in his definitive history 'Boss & Co. Best Gunmakers' only 287 had been recorded as having been made by the time his book went to print in 1995
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Estimate £7,000-9,000
S2 - Sold as a Section 2 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act