The Boss & Co. name stands amongst the best makers of fine arms in the world and has done so ever since the company was established in 1812 by the founder Thomas Boss. The reputation of Boss & Co. was so elegantly summarized in a single sentence by author Donald Dallas as the title of his compendium on the company "Boss & Co.: Builders of Best Guns Only". This fine over/under was completed circa 1955, according to the information given on page 102 of Nigel Brown's "British Gunmakers Volume One: London", and is a shinning example of the mid-20th century guns produced by Boss & Co. This gun was built with blued steel barrels featuring a single red bead sight on the hand filed flat solid rib, the "BOSS & Co. 41 ALBEMARLE STREET PICCADILLY LONDON MADE IN ENGLAND" signature on the left side of the upper tube, light scroll engraving at and around the breech, correct period London proof marks on the flats, and chambers marked 2 3/4 inches with automatic ejectors. The barrels are fitted to the casehardened sidelock action which displays fantastic classic rose and scroll engraving surrounding "BOSS & Co." signatures on either lockplate, patent markings on either side, and a mix of nitre blue and bright finished lock pins before extending off of the action onto the triggerguard, both tangs, and the toplever. The gun features bushed firing pins, double triggers, a right hand rolled triggerguard, gold centerlined cocking indicators on the lockplates, and a tang mounted automatic safety switch with gold inlaid "SAFE" indicator. The gun is fitted with a lovely well-figured and multi-point checkered forend with engraved forend iron and an Anson button release as well as a semi-pistol grip stock with teardrop carved drop points, a blank gold inscription oval, and an orange rubber recoil pad. Barrel and stock measurements (U/O): bore diameter nine inches from the breech both proofed at .729 inches and measured at .731 inches; choke constriction .021/.012 inches; minimum wall thickness .025/.024 inches; 1 11/16 inch drop at comb; 2 11/16 inch drop at heel; 14 1/2 inch length of pull; cast-off; weight 6 lbs. 9 oz. Provenance: The Robert M. Lee Collection

Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and casehardened finishes with minor handling evidence, some slight thinning at the breech of the upper tube, and crisp checkering on the stock and forend. The lower ejector does not fire and simply extracts; otherwise, the gun is mechanically excellent. This is a great opportunity to own a gun from one of the world's finest makers!