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Carlo Casartelli .470 3 1/4" NE Kenya Sidelock Ejector Double Rifle

A superbly made and engraved Italian double rifle by this small Italian maker, this rifle is based on an H&H style backaction sidelock ejector with hand detachable locks and bolstered frame, hidden third fastener, disk set strikers, two triggers (the front is spring loaded) with a manual safety and strap over comb. The guard bow has a rolled edge for a right-hand shooter and an extended tang that extends to the trap grip cap.

Each lock plate is engraved in an incredibly complex and detailed game scenes of tigers and Indian gazelles on the left lock plate with a lion and scimitar horned oryx on the right and all are among the leaves of the jungle. The deep relief engraving is in a similar motif to pre-WWI R.B. Rodda double rifles.

The bottom of the action depicts a bulino engraved charging bull elephant cameo. The fences, action body and furniture are decorated in a deep relief scroll pattern. 

The layout and execution of the engraving is superb but sadly the engraving is not signed but is attributed to Mario Terzi. He was known to engrave other guns for Casartelli in a very similar style. 

The action is brushed bright to highlight all the detail in this engraving.

The stock is nicely figured with a full pistol grip and right-hand, English style beaded cheekpiece and a splinter forend. With a point pattern checkering pattern on both.

The 25” chopper lump barrels are fitted with an H&H style quarter rib with 1 standing/2 folding leaf Express sight and ramp front sight with flip up “moon” sight and forward folding sight protector.

This is a top-quality rifle from a very exclusive maker with some of the finest engraving you will ever encounter.

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