Dr Bob, A few weeks before The auction I spent over an hour with the 16, had a 10, and 20 power glass. Both dogs on each side and the birds at the hinges had runs similar to the picture shown on this post.I brought it to their attention, and we saw that the dogs head in the forend also ran, but only at the bottom of it's neck. The pigeon in the top lever may have a little at it's bottom or it could have been its feet.I also believed that the wood was redone and most likely the metal, as their was some crud under the left side of the top lever that missed being cleaned.Another concern was the serial # on the second set of barrels was very thin and did not match my Ithaca ones, but looked very similar to one I had done a couple of years ago,ditto for the A on the water table.I decided not to bid even though I believe that it was a very rare A grade quality gun. The auction house later posted the info about the auras and guaranteed that the gun was original.They said they had their expert look at the gun and he advised that the inlays were original. I asked if it was the consignors expert, and they said no,it was theirs.You know about the info that was passed around well before the auction that said a world class engraver had inspected the engraving and said it was the finest engraving he had seen on an American gun.Look closely at the dogs shoulder on the previous post there are some lines there for shading that are in my opinion looked recent, and very poorly done. I don't know if the auction house could have done any more. To me there are a few options as to what happened,I just don't believe that the gun could have left the factory in that condition. THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS POST IS THAT IN MY OPINION THE GUN WAS WORTH MORE IF IT DIDN'T HAVE THE UNUSUAL GOLD INLAYS, AND THE QUESTIONS ON HOW THEY GOT THERE! Again just my opinion. sfq
