Hoffman Arms Company was establish in 1923, in Cleveland, Ohio, by Frank Hoffman along with his team of craftsmen, including Rudolph Kornbrath, one of the most highly sought after American engravers of all time. Hoffman became famous for their bolt action rifles built on Springfield 1903 and Mauser 98 actions, though they also offered fine, built to order shotguns, including this highly attractive pair. According to included consignor correspondence with Gallyon, the holder's of Webley & Scott records, these guns where both built in 1923 and subsequently sold to Hoffman Arms on September 30th, 1924, after which they were finished stateside into the handsome shotguns that they are today. Each gun was built with a single steel bead sight on the machine matted flat solid rib which is inlaid with a gold bar near the breech, wedges of fine floral scroll engraving at both breech and muzzle, correct period Birmingham proof marks on the flats, and 2 3/4 inch chambers with automatic ejectors. Each barrel set is fitted to a casehardened scalloped screwgrip boxlock action, which displays highly attractive floral scroll engraving surrounding a trio of game scenes and "I OF II" and "II OF II" respectively, before spilling off of the action onto the pierced toplever and both tangs, the bottom of which has the serial number inlaid in gold. The game scenes consist of a hunter downing a pheasant cock on the left side, a pair of dogs pointing on the right side, and an alighting mallard on the underside. While the work is unsigned, it is known that the engraving on these early Hoffman Arms guns was carried out by famed American Master Engraver Rudolph Kornbrath, with the quality of the work on these guns, as well as the style, certainly indicating that he had a hand in adorning these guns. Both guns bear a gold inlaid signature on the triggerguard, the "A" gun is marked "E. D. Nunns", and the "B" gun is marked "R. J. Bresnahan". The guns both feature bushed firing pins, double triggers, and a tang mounted automatic safety with gold inlaid "SAFE" indicator. The guns are both fitted with a beautifully figured and multi-point checkered splinter forend with engraved forend iron and an ebony inlay at the tip, along with a straight hand stock with black diamond horn inlays at the drop points as well as a serrated horn buttplate. While the inscription reads "R. J. Bresnahan", the consignor believes it is the signature of Roger P. Bresnahan, who was a Toledo born Major League Baseball player and manager who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1945. The identity of Nunns is unclear, though a strong candidate is Edward (or Edmund) Nunns of Nassau, NY, a radio man in the era following Bresnhan's career, which could possibly be the link between these two men. The consignor has included a binder of research on the two men. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .726/.728 inches; choke constriction .024/.037 inches; minimum wall thickness .036/.039 inches; 1 1/4 inch drop at comb; 2 9/16 inch drop at heel; 15 13/16 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 7 oz.

Very fine overall, retaining 97% original blue finish on the barrels and traces of original blue on the cover plate. A brushed finish on the action body and guard bow, traces of the original color in the game scenes, original blue around the serial numbers, some thinning of gold on the triggers, a few light dings and scratches on the wood, and crisp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent.

As described in "A". Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .729/.726 inches; choke constriction .022/.034 inches; minimum wall thickness .034/.033 inches; 1 5/16 inch drop at comb; 2 3/16 inch drop at heel; 14 3/4 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs. 3 oz.

Very fine overall, retaining 98% original blue finish on the barrels and traces of original blue on the cover plate. Brushed action body with traces of the original color in the game scenes, original blue around the serial numbers, some dried grease, a few minor marks on the wood, and sharp checkering on the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent.