French St. Etienne Drilling 12 GA .40-65 Winchester Combination Gun, C&R
Sold For: $2,415
LSB#: 200922JM10
Make: Manufacture Francais D’Armes De St. Etienne
Model: Drilling
Serial Number: 5607
Year of Manufacture: 1897-Early 1900s
Caliber/Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4? Shells over .40-65 Winchester
Action Type: Back-Action Drilling With Extractor, External Hammers, Sliding Selector
Markings: The barrel’s rib is marked “MANUFACTURE FRANCAIS D’ARMES DE ST ETIENNE”. The bottom of each barrel is marked “DAMAS ECLAIR”, a St Etienne proof mark and “18.4 65”. The left barrel flat is marked “CANONNERIE DE LA MANUFACTURE”, the right “FRANCAISE D’ARMES ST ETIENNE” and each flat has a crowned “F” proof mark. The bottom of the rifle barrel is marked “RC * 1” and with a St. Etienne proof. The bottom of the left barrel is marked “18669”, the bottom of the right “5607”. The top of the forend lever, top of the forend iron, inside of the trigger guard, sling ring, and the right shoulder of the receiver are each marked “5607”. The left shoulder of the receiver is marked “13”. The stock is marked “1054” at the heel.
Barrel Length: 28”
Choke: Left: Full, Right: Improved Cylinder, Both Fixed
Weight: 7 lb., 14.1 oz.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a silver-colored blade dovetailed to a base screwed to a mount at the front of the barrel rib. The rear sight is an express-style sight with one fixed “V”-notch and three folding leaves which are progressively taller and each have a “V”-notch. The rear sight assembly is dovetailed to a mount at the rear of the barrel rib.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece finely checkered walnut with semi-pistol grip, straight comb, and a brown and black swirl colored buttplate with raised circle texturing and in the center “M” and “F” to each side of a crossed-cannon and arrow logo. There is a sprung, rolled-up sling housed in the belly of the stock which attaches to a split ring mounted to the bottom of the rifle barrel forward of the forend. The stocks have several scattered light nicks, dings, scratches and scuffs. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 14 1/8″ and 13 1/8″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has no notable wear or damage. Drop at comb is approximately 2″, drop at heel 2 3/4″. The cast is about neutral. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Browned, Damascus & Case Color
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the shotgun bores. The rifle bore has some spots of erosion about 2-3″ from the muzzle.
Overall Condition: This drilling retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The browned finish is generally strong but the damascus pattern shows through well. The lockplates’ case color has muted at the rear, the receiver’s case color is generally strong, muted at the rear of the top tang. There are a few scattered light nicks and scuffs. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this drilling is in about Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The barrels lock up with no play to the receiver. There is a slider on the top tang which is pushed forward to select the shotgun barrels and back to select the rifle barre. NOTE: With the rifle barrel selected, the front trigger will fire the rifle barrel AND the rear trigger can still fire the left shotgun barrel. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes in a dark brown leather-bound hard-sided case with green fabric-lined interior fitted for the barrel set, stocked receiver, one lidded accessory compartment and a long, thin accessory compartment. The latches have locks, but no key is included. The case has loops for straps, but no straps are included. A box of 20 PMC .40-65 Winchester cartridges are included. The case has scattered storage wear on the exterior with scuffs, scrapes and some surface loss, the interior shows light wear from the contents, in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: Combination guns have been a popular “do-all” gun for generations, with some still being produced today. The combination of a shotgun for fowl and a rifle for terrestrial game allows the hunter to become familiar with one gun for all their trips to the field. This example was produced in France and chambered for 12 gauge shotgun shells and, interestingly, for .40-65 Winchester. This makes for a potent combination suitable for a wide variety of game. In its condition and with its interesting origin and configuration, this would make a great piece for drilling or fine European firearms collectors. If it gets past the collectors, this is a gun which can hunt just about anything outside of Africa and look good doing it. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible drilling CAN be transferred/sold in California.
