Weber & Ruesch of Zurich Dual Trigger Underlever, Brown Twist, Gold Inlaid & Case Colored 30″ Engraved Side by Side SxS Shotgun, MFD 1900’s C&R

Sold For: $1,405.00
LSB#: 161122KK02

Make: Casimir Webber & Ruesch of Zurich

Model: Underlever Dual Trigger Exposed Hammer

Serial Number: The receiver does not have a serial number, the butt plate is marked “878”.

Year of Manufacture: According to http://www.littlegun.info/arme%20suisse/ancien%20artisan/a%20weber%20ruesch%20gb.htm, the company was in Zurich in the early 1900’s. There is no serial number database to narrow the date range.

Gauge: 16 Gauge, 2 5/8” Shells; there are no proof marks, we discourage use with smokeless powder.

Action Type: Side by Side, Exposed Hammer, Dual-Trigger Under-lever Shotgun with Extractor

Markings: The top of the barrel set rib is marked “WEBER-RUESCH. ZURICH”, in gold also seen at the breech of both barrels, traversing the concave rib. The receiver and butt stock metal components have absolutely beautiful scroll and floriated elements, the butt plate has circle and dot line work and is marked “878”. The hammers have nice intricate work as well, please see our pictures.

Barrel Length: Approximately 30 1/8″

Choke: The right bore measures 0.655” at the muzzle, or Cylinder, the left measures 0.653”, or about Improved Cylinder.

Sights / Optics: This shotgun is mounted with a brass bead, screwed into the concave, tapered rib.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The splinter forend still has nicely defined checkering and beautiful grain, the tip has a cleanly fit ox horn nose, the bracket shows excellent engraving. There is a chip loss and un-repaired crack on the left forward area, some of the checkers are compressed. The butt stock shows a large left side cheek piece and sling swivel in the belly, the forward swivel is on the underside of the barrel set, the cast is neutral. The stock has parasite damages at the toe, resulting in a few cracks. The fit to metal is very smooth and the checkers are still highly defined but for some areas of rub compression. The belly has a few heavy dings and the flanks show compression, perhaps as from being stored in a safe for a long period of time. All told, the burl of the grain is stunning. Drop at comb is 1 3/8″, drop at heel is 2 1/2″. The LOP measures 12 1/2” from the front of the rear trigger and 13 1/2” from the front of the forward trigger to the back of the metal butt plate; the plate has beautiful engraving line work, showing a natural gray patina, it may have been case colored. The plate has splendid fit to the wood but for at the toe, looking to be from age shrinkage, in Very Good condition. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition.

Type of Finish: The barrel set is browned with gold inlay, the other metal items are case colored.

Finish Originality: The finish is original.

Bore Condition: The bores are semi-bright and there is moderate depth erosion in scattered spots, more so towards the chambers; there are some bumps that translated from dings on the outside of the barrel set towards the muzzles.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 60% of its metal finish, seen as the browned barrel set and some remaining case coloring, only on protected surfaces. The barrel set has some scrape marks and dings along the rib. There are other marks that made bumps on the inside of the bores. Given the twist construction and its age, we do not recommend firing this shotgun until cleared to do so by a gunsmith. The exposed surfaces are mottled gray but retain clarity in the engravings, please see our pictures of this beautiful shotgun. The under lever has scrapes and light dings. The screw head slots range from light to moderately tooled. The markings are crisp. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This shotgun has dual triggers and exposed hammers. The overall balance and construction is spectacular. With the forend removed, there is nominal play, there is no play with the forend installed. The shotgun weighs 7lbs 5oz. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: Weber and Ruesch made some extraordinary firearms in their time, ranging from small pocket pistols to elegantly crafted shotguns, this being one of high quality and would certainly have been quite the pretty penny in its time. The beauty of the engraving, fit and finish of the wood and of the metal give it a sense of nobility. We would not be surprised if this was a Baron’s favorite field gun, made sometime before the First World War conflict. It remains beautiful and will make for a great display piece. Please see our pictures and good luck.