*TULA ARSENAL MC-11 BEESLEY SELF-OPENING ACTION PIGEON GUN WITH CASE (A RUSSIAN PURDEY).

*TULA ARSENAL MC-11 BEESLEY SELF-OPENING ACTION PIGEON GUN WITH CASE (A RUSSIAN PURDEY). SN 631093. Cal. 12 Bore. 2-3/4″ Chambers. This gun, the subject of an article in “American Rifleman” by Roger Barlow, has 29-1/2″ chopper lump bbls with raised, matted, flat pigeon rib, with 3 gold bands at breech. Bbl flats have Russian proofs, and SN. Robust action, built on Beesley’s self-opening patent, as were most all best quality Purdey hammerless guns since 1880, features non-automatic safety, gold-plated double triggers (front articulated), bushed strikers, and hidden third fastener. Action and lockplates are engraved with background of well cut scroll, with relief vignettes of game animals and dogs; a pair of moose on bottom of action; pair of pointers and pheasants on right lockplate; pair of setters and quail on left lockplate. Fences are high relief carved with grape and grape-leaf design. Top lever has matching grape leaves. All of this work is surrounded and accented by gold inlaid border with scroll terminations. Blued trigger guard with matching embellishment depicts a pair of woodcock in flight. SN is inlaid in gold on tang. Fiddleback figured, light honey blond European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/2″ over checkered wood butt, and features drop points, and 24 LPI point pattern checkering with mullered borders. Matching splinter forend has Anson release, and contains unusual ejector system. Bore diameter: left -.729, right -.729. Bore restrictions: left -.048, right -.038. Wall thickness: left -.034, right -.037. Drop at heel: 2-5/8″, drop at comb: 1-3/16″. Weight: 8 lbs. 3.5 oz, LOP 14-1/2″. Leather case has leather corners. Interior is lined in wine colored cloth, with Abercrombie & Fitch leather label, and contains a pair of snap caps. Accompanied by an issue of “American Rifleman” dated Feb. 1973; and a copy of “Treasury of Sporting Guns,” both of which feature this fine shotgun. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain virtually all of their original blue. Action retains 90% of its case color, silvering on bottom beads, and tips of fences. Lockplates retain virtually all of their case color. Trigger guard and top lever are silvering very slightly on sharp edges. Stock retains virtually all its oil finish. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny with no visible imperfections. Case is near new. A meticulously crafted and finished gun, workmanship of the highest order. 4-38156 MGM141 (25,000-35,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1168	$17,250.00	TULA ARSENAL MC-11 BEESLEY SELF-OPENING ACTION PIGEON GUN WITH CASE (A RUSSIAN PURDEY). SN 631093. Cal. 12 Bore. 2-3/4″ Chambers. This gun, the subject of an article in “American Rifleman” by Roger Barlow, has 29-1/2″ chopper lump bbls with raised, matted, flat pigeon rib, with 3 gold bands at breech. Bbl flats have Russian proofs, and SN. Robust action, built on Beesley’s self-opening patent, as were most all best quality Purdey hammerless guns since 1880, features non-automatic safety, gold-plated double triggers (front articulated), bushed strikers, and hidden third fastener. Action and lockplates are engraved with background of well cut scroll, with relief vignettes of game animals and dogs; a pair of moose on bottom of action; pair of pointers and pheasants on right lockplate; pair of setters and quail on left lockplate. Fences are high relief carved with grape and grape-leaf design. Top lever has matching grape leaves. All of this work is surrounded and accented by gold inlaid border with scroll terminations. Blued trigger guard with matching embellishment depicts a pair of woodcock in flight. SN is inlaid in gold on tang. Fiddleback figured, light honey blond European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-1/2″ over checkered wood butt, and features drop points, and 24 LPI point pattern checkering with mullered borders. Matching splinter forend has Anson release, and contains unusual ejector system. Bore diameter: left -.729, right -.729. Bore restrictions: left -.048, right -.038. Wall thickness: left -.034, right -.037. Drop at heel: 2-5/8″, drop at comb: 1-3/16″. Weight: 8 lbs. 3.5 oz, LOP 14-1/2″. Leather case has leather corners. Interior is lined in wine colored cloth, with Abercrombie & Fitch leather label, and contains a pair of snap caps. Accompanied by an issue of “American Rifleman” dated Feb. 1973; and a copy of “Treasury of Sporting Guns,” both of which feature this fine shotgun. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain virtually all of their original blue. Action retains 90% of its case color, silvering on bottom beads, and tips of fences. Lockplates retain virtually all of their case color. Trigger guard and top lever are silvering very slightly on sharp edges. Stock retains virtually all its oil finish. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny with no visible imperfections. Case is near new. A meticulously crafted and finished gun, workmanship of the highest order. 4-38156 MGM141 (25,000-35,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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