Lebeau-Courally Imperial Game Gun 20 Ga – 2 BRLS, ASSISTED OPENER, CASED

The Imperial Game Gun is Lebeau-Courally’s Bespoke sidelock gun built to the highest standards in the world of BEST GUNS.  Made in 1929, for S. Corte of Italy as the first gun in a pair, today this beauty stands alone.   The story of how and when a pair like this was split is curious to me.   It is a shame they were separated; but on the other hand, it makes owning this exquisite shotgun much easier.  You still get the versatility of two sets of barrels (potentially with four different chokes) without the expense of a second gun, so maybe it all works out!  The included correspondence from Lebeau-Courally shows the gun shipped in 1929.  We acquired the gun with the original stock and forend detached from the gun. The gun was restocked to factory specifications long ago, to include checkering patterns, perfect wood to metal fit, drop points, stock shape, and most importantly the trademark gold crown inset into the forend wood, all distinctly the same as the original wood from the gun.  The vintage (but not original) stock that is on the gun now measures 14 5/8″ LOP.  The gun comes with both stocks and forends and makes for the ability to swap stocks if the next owner is shorter in stature.  The original wood comes with the gun for the purist collector, a very important point in favor of investment and ownership.  The longer wood (14 5/8” LOP) was fitted and finished by the famed Sabatti craftsman in Italy. The original stock has a LOP of 350mm (equates to 13 3/4″) as stated in the factory specs.  It is in very nice, solid condition and fits the action to perfection.  The original wood is shown in the photos.  A second set of barrels were added in 1976, Italian proofed (likely made by Beretta), choked XF/XF, which can be altered to any choke constrictions the new owner would prefer by our gunsmiths within a few days of purchase.  This makes for a gun that can perform well for any upland game or sporting clays courses.  The gun is housed in a VFI custom fitted Brady toe under leather case which includes extra blocks to fit other lengths of pull.  Examining the factory documentation, you will note that the original stock, action, and barrels match the letter precisely, to include barrel length, stock dimensions, chokes, and chambers.

When you first approach this gun, your eye is immediately drawn to the coin finish and the exquisite vine and floral engraving highlighted against superb, tiny English scroll providing 100% engraving coverage.  The closer you look, the better it gets.  The details of the receiver, skeletonized top lever, deep relief engraving on the barrel fences and bottom of the frame add texture and interest.  The engraver (signed near the trigger guard), M. Hannay, is featured in the seminal book “LEBEAU COURALLY, Gun and Rifle Makers Since 1865” by Marco E. Nobili on page 161.  As much as this gun deserves to be the centerpiece in a collector’s gunroom, the combination of barrels, chokes, and superb handling characteristics will implore you to take this lovely gun to the range or field for its intended purpose.  Please review the detailed specifications below and enjoy the stunning photos.  Thanks for looking!