18462 Cased And Matched Pair Of English Breechloading Hammer Double Barrel Shotguns

Made by R. Grove. The stocks, checkering patterns and engraving match exactly on each gun. There are no numbers on the guns themselves but the wood portion of the forends are stamped with the serial numbers 25302-2 and 25302-40. Each lockplate is engraved with pheasants on one side and ducks on the other. Various scroll engraving is also present on the lockplates, frame and triggerguard. Hammers are also engraved and click up nicely on both guns. Guns are opened by a top lever located between the hammers. Lock up on both guns is tight and positive. Birmingham proof marks are present on the barrels and on the water table. On one gun, the engraving is sharp but the coloration of the frame is gray. Edges and corners are sharp. The triggerguard has been reblued in the English style. The other gun has about 40% of the original color casehardening on the lockplates etc. The triggerguard on this gun also appears to have been reblued in the English style. One gun has barrels that are 28" long and have 12 gauge bores. Bores are excellent but with some very light roughness present. Bores are mostly bright and shiny. Externally, the barrels have nice high quality Damascus twist pattern present. The barrel is mounted with a large ivory bead front sight and small ivory bead mid-sight. The top rib of the barrels is engraved "R.GROVE LONDON FINE DAMASCUS." Very fine scroll engraving surrounds the panel with the maker's name. An gold shamrock is inlaid on each doll's head extension. The barrels for the other gun are also 12 gauge but are 29 ¾" in length. They also have the same high quality Damascus pattern with bores that are in slightly better condition. Almost no pitting remains in those barrels. The stocks and forends are nicely checkered with a high quality pattern. The border of the checkering pattern incorporates a pointed finial in various locations. Each gun is mounted with a grooved horn buttplate. The buttstock of one gun has been professionally and expertly replaced. The checkering on that stock matches perfectly with the original stock. The buttplate on the replaced stock has slightly coarser serrations on the buttplate. The guns come in an original oak case which has been restored. The exterior is newly and expertly covered with leather. Original brass hinges and latch are present on the case. Brass corners on the case appear to be high quality replacements. The case is lined with maroon felt and accessories include two handmade leather handguards for the barrels. A reproduction of the maker's label is present in the lid along with two labels indicating specifications for the two different guns. Specifications include chamber length, gun weight, barrel length and chokes. A custom made canvass and leather cover for the case is included. Overall condition of the set is excellent.