^Lot 2237 FINE AND RARE FOREHAND ARMS GRADE 1 EJECTOR

BOXLOCK DOUBLE SHOTGUN. Cal. 12 Ga. 2-5/8". S# 2906. 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 1 with very rare ejector system has 30-1/8" dramatic two stripe damascus barrels with flat matted rib. Large dolls head rib extension is cut for locking bolt. Barrel flats are stamped with S#. "1" is on lump. "2D" is on bottom of each barrel (2 stripe damascus ?). Case hardened action is fitted with automatic safety and double triggers. Patent dates, S# and grade are on watertable. Action is engraved with sprays of scroll within 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 well figured American walnut measures 14-1/4" 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 with Deeley type release has hard rubber forend tip. Forend is fitted with ejector system with spring plunger housing attached to iron and rotating sears in face of iron tripped by pegs that protrude from knuckle of action. MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .726. R .722. Restriction: L .030 (full ). R .029 (full). Wall thickness: L .035. R .036. STOCK: DAH: 2-1/2". DAC: 1-11/16". CAST: neutral. LOP: 14-1/4". WEIGHT: 7 lb. 8 oz. CONDITION: exceptionally fine. Barrels retaining over 90% original damascus finish with very fine pattern definition. Action retains over 80% 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; right ejector will not fire and both ejectors will not remain cocked when forend is removed; otherwise mechanically good. Only a handful of Forehand Arms guns are known with ejectors. PROVENANCE: From the Private Collection of Berrien Moore III. (01-28463/MGM). ANTIQUE. $2,000-3,000.