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WATSON BROS.
A MAGNIFICENT PAIR OF KEITH THOMAS ENGRAVED 20-BORE SELF-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR GUNS, NOS. 20068/9
28-inch chopper-lump barrels with 2 3/4-inch chambers about 3/8 choke borings, the breeches carved and inlaid with respective gold rose and thistle motfis, the rounded frames, locks and top levers profusely engraved with best foliate scrollwork against a lined ground and scenes of the game of England and Scotland, the No. 1 gun (England) with gold rose motifs, the fences carved with flowering roses, the left lock showing pheasant in cover, the right lock with partridges, the action base with a woodcock amidst a woodland scene, skilfully entwined within a heavy acanthus scroll, the trigger guard with a rabbit; the No. 2 gun (Scotland) with gold thistle motifs, the fences deeply carved with further thistles, the left lock with a scene of ptarmigan, the right lock with scenes of grouse against moorland scenes, the action base with capercaillie amidst a pine forest, the trigger guard with black grouse, pierced top levers, lined cocking indicators, rolled edge trigger guard, the trigger plates signed by the engraver, K. Thomas, 15 1/4-inch highly figured stocks with chequered butts, 5lb. 15oz., nitro proof, in their maker's brassbound oak and leather case with canvas outer cover
The maker confirms that the guns were completed circa 2002. They appear relatively used and retain virtually all of their original finish.
Keith Thomas was born in 1948 and joined Holland & Holland in 1974, where he learned is craft. He is now considered to be one of the very best engravers working in this field and his highly detailed game scenes and bold acanthus scroll being perhaps his best and most well-known styles. These guns are a superb example of his work. |
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| Fine Modern and Vintage Sporting Guns |
| Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland |
| 24 August 2009 |
| Commission is 25% ex. VAT. Artist's Resale Right may apply |
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