H.A. Lindner, SN871, c1899, 12GA, 8lbs. 8oz., SK/IM
A rare and wonderful find we have here…AN EXTRAORDINARY, HIGH CONDITION, FACTORY ORIGINAL SUPERBLY ENGRAVED AND STOCKED 12 BORE GUN BUILT BY HEINRICH LINDNER OF PRUSSIA IN THE LATE 1890’S STILL SHOWING OVER 95% OF ITS ORIGINAL FACTORY FINISH. H.A. Lindner is best known through his association with the firm of Charles Daly, building guns in Prussia for the Daly firm from the late 1800’s until his retirement in 1914 and the onset of WWI. Engraved with fine English scroll, multiple intricate game scenes, elaborate delicate borders, highly decorative screws, and stocked with exhibition grade Turkish walnut, THIS LINDNER MADE TREASURE EXCEEDS ANY LINDNER MADE GUN LABELED “DIAMOND QUALITY”. This gun is not labeled with a maker’s name, only a gold inscription in the top rib denoting “EXTRA FINE CHINE DAMSKUS BARRELS”. So how do we know it was built by Heinrich Lindner? It is easy to see Lindner’s hand in the sculpting of the action, the scalloping and sculpting of the receiver and fences, the distinctive side panels and checkering patterns on the stock, and the overall quality of the gun. But the definitive tell is the stamps on the bottom of the barrels just forward of the barrel flats showing the crossed pistols with the distinctive “H.A.L” above the pistols…Lindner’s well-known trademark. The 30” barrels are made with a distinctive, beautifully detailed “CHINE DAMASCUS” steel, retaining 98% of the detailed pattern, excellent shiny bores, robust wall thicknesses (see specifications below), no dents or damage…a stunning, healthy set of barrels able to shoot moderate modern loads through the factory 2 ¾” chambers. They are tight both on the hinge pin and the breech face like a new gun. The action is profusely engraved with the finest scroll, game scenes with snipe, quail, waterfowl, bird dogs, and a gentleman shooter, all done with exquisite detail. The action has crisp double triggers, ejectors, cocking indicators, double underlug lock bolts, hidden cross bolt on the doll’s head extension, barrel lug extending through the receiver providing 5 distinct locking points. It even has intercepting safety sears! THIS IS A “VFI CERTIFIED GUN”, meaning we stripped the forend iron and receiver to the smallest parts, ran it through the Ultrasonic cleaner, inspected all parts for integrity and function, then lubricated and reassembled (a $450 service). VFI CERTIFIED guns carry a 90-day mechanical warranty. While disassembled we shot some phone photos so you can appreciate why the Lindner guns are so revered. All the working parts are polished to a mirror finish for flawless operation. The parts are masterfully hand filed and shaped. Even the stock inletting is artfully completed to perfection. These are areas most never see, yet H.A. Lindner insisted they be finished to perfection. You will notice in the photos a decrepit butt pad that likely came with the gun. There are some collectors that prefer such rare guns to be untouched, so we are letting the next owner decide if they want us to replace the butt pad. My choice would be to install a Purdey Style leather covered pad…they are graceful, functional, and would do this gun justice. Don’t miss this rare gun. Thanks for looking!
Barrels: 30"
Chokes: .002/.026
Bores: exc
Bore Diam: .722/.722
Wall Thickness: .040/.038
% Blue: 97% factory
Ribs: tight
Sights: front silver
Action: tight, centered
Ejectors: timed
Receiver: 98% factory cc
Screws: perfect
Engraving: superb
Trigger: dbl-crisp
Trigger Guard: 80% engraved; 85% cc
Stock: Capped Pistol Grip/splinter
LOP: 14 3/16"
LOP To End Of Wood: 13 3/8"
DAH: 3"
DAC: 1 5/8"
Checkering: superb factory
Butt: decrepit Silvers
INQUIRIES
There is a 30 day mechanical warranty on long guns. If it is a “VFI Certified” gun there is a 90 day mechanical warranty.
