^Lot 2236 HIGH CONDITION FOREHAND ARMS 0 GRADE DOUBLE

SHOTGUN. Cal. 12 Ga. 2-3/4". S# 1504. These well made guns were produced by Forehand Arms between Circa 1895 & 1897 and were offered in four grades from 0 to 3. Number made is not known however S#'s are found as high as around 3200. This grade 0 gun has 30-1/8" swist steel barrels with flat matted rib. Large dolls head rib extension is cut for locking bolt. Barrel flats are stamped with S#. "0" is on lump. Case hardened action is fitted with automatic safety and double triggers. Patent dates, S#, grade and "W&F" in a lozenge are on watertable. Action appears to be of early design with three pins through body for pivots etc. (Did S#'s start at 1500?) as opposed to the single screw seen on later guns. Action is engraved with a few minor sprigs of foliage and line borders. Pivot point on top lever is engraved "Forehand" "Arms" "Co" "Worcester" "MASS". Trigger guard has S# on tang. Pistol grip buttstock made of nicely fiddle figured American walnut measures 14" over hard rubber buttplate embossed with checkering and a wild turkey. Side panels are nicely shaped and point pattern checkering is at grip. Hard rubber grip cap is embossed "FOREHAND" "ARMS CO". It is interesting to note that action cocking system is configured so that a button protruding through bottom of action must be depressed in order to remove barrels. Matching splinter forend has friction release. MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .727. R .715. Restriction: L .032 (full ). R .020 (mod). Wall thickness: L .042. R .045. STOCK: DAH: 3". DAC: 1-7/8". CAST: neutral. LOP: 14". WEIGHT: 7 lb. 12 oz. CONDITION: exceptionally fine. Barrels retaining over 95% original twist finish with very fine pattern definition. Action retains over 90% original case hardening color with silvering and some high edge wear. Stocks retain nearly all of their original finish with some light marks. Checkering is lightly worn. Bores are bright and shiny and without noted problems. Action is tight; mechanically good. An exceptionally fine example of this scarce American gun. PROVENANCE: From the Private Collection of Berrien Moore III. (01-28470/MGM). ANTIQUE. $1,500-2,500.