^Lot 2275 RARE LEFT HANDED SEMPERT & KRIEGHOFF SIDELOCK

NEPTUNE GRADE DRILLING. Cal. 16x16 2-9/16". / 8x57 JR. S# 10915. The 26" barrel set with full length matted rib holding pop-up rear sight and claw scope bases is engraved "Sempert & Krieghoff Suhl" on tops. Barrel flats are stamped with August 1926 German nitro proofs for 16 Ga. and 8x57 rifle cartridge. French gray sidelock action is made with safety lever and rifle cocking lever on right side for left handed use. Double triggers have also been tipped for left hand use. Top lever pivots to the right in normal manner. Drilling features hidden cross bolt third fastener, side clips, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators and double triggers (front set). Sempert & Krieghoff guns are known for their fine engraving. This combo is no exception. Action is engraved with full coverage cleanly cut and very attractive open shaded flowing acanthus with scroll accents. Bottom of action is engraved "KRIEGHOFF DRILLING" "NEPTUN". Lock plates with acanthus at front are game scene engraved. On left plate a pair of roaring stags are about to do battle as a hind looks on. Right plate depicts a roebuck and three does running through woodlands. Trigger guard bow is relief engraved with a monogram "GN". Trigger guard tang is covered with horn and extends to horn grip cap. Well marbled European walnut pistol grip buttstock measures 13" over Silver type pad and features hog back comb, small left hand cheekpiece, point pattern grip checkering and sling loop on toeline matching loop on barrels. Matching splinter forend with small inlet horn tip has Deeley release. MEASUREMENTS: BBLS: Bore Diameter: L .670. R .669. Restriction: L .032 (full). R .027 (IMod). Wall thickness: L .033. R .033. STOCK: DAH: 3-7/16". Drop at the rear of the hog back 2-1/4". DAC: 1-5/8". CAST: about 1/2" on. LOP: 13". WEIGHT: 7 lb. 7 oz. CONDITION: fine as mostly refinished. Barrels retaining essentially all of a "best" re-black. Action retains most of its original French gray which has darkened somewhat around bottom. All engraving remains sharp and clear. Stocks retain nearly all of a very fine oil refinish with a few subsequent marks. Checkering competently re-cut. All bores are bright and shiny. Rifle bore shows minor frosting toward breech end. Action is tight; mechanically fine. PROVENANCE: From the Private Collection of Berrien Moore III. (25-6016/MGM). CURIO. $2,500-4,500.