July 24-25, 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/24/2015
Gun features a 30" round barrel chambered for the .22 LR with a bright and excellent bore. The barrel is Jersey City Pope No. 691 and is marked on the bottom "691 B 2 15.9 2.8.27 H.M. POPE". It is also marked on top ahead of the scope blocks "H.M. POPE". This rifle features many Pope improvements and has been engraved and stocked in the highest quality. The Pope alterations, in addition to barreling, include milling the frame, lightening the hammer, altering the coil mainspring, and fitting scope blocks. The above alterations are listed in an original Pope invoice dated April 2nd, 1927 which is part of the Pope archives which are owned by the ASSRA. The rifle is also equipped with Pope adjustable double set triggers and a Pope style finger loop lever and palm rest. The lower tang has been shortened and the section with the serial number is no longer present. The action is beautifully engraved in very nice quality scroll and has been left bright giving a very pleasing appearance. The ring of the action is stippled in the finest of patterns and the lever, sight base and trigger plate all show light scroll engraving. The "H.M. POPE" barrel marking has a fancy scroll pattern engraved around it. The rifle has been stocked in beautifully figured walnut which was expertly executed in a very fine checkering along with a wonderful shadowline cheek piece. The pistol grip and the forend tip both bear ebony inlays and the rifle wears a perfectly fitted Helm style buttplate. The rifle is sighted with a wind gauge globe front and windage adjustable Pope tang sight along with a Winchester A5 scope and original mounts. In the book entitled "HM. Pope" by Warren Greatbatch, page 263 the identical style Pope lever and Swiss buttplate. On page 394, you can see the identical Pope palm rest, and on page 412, the Pope tang sight which was manufactured in conjunction with Stevens, is also pictured. The falling block exhibits traces of the original case colors. The entire gun remains in almost near new condition. Stock is near new with sharp checkering and just a light surface scratch. Barrel retains virtually all of the fine blue finish. Tang sight exhibits all of the fire blue finish. The scope retains approximately 85% original Winchester blue with perfect optics. All screws are engraved. It is an understatement to write that Pope built the finest deluxe single shot sporting rifles. Given the condition, rarity, and quality of this rifle, it elevates this masterpiece to a level that goes far beyond its purpose as a firearm. It was an expensive proposition to have a custom Pope rifle during the era of manufacture and only the dedicated and lucky few were ever able to own such a weapon. The same holds true even today. One of the finest Pope rifles extant.