March 1-2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/1/2018
Franz Sodia, first quality, hammerless double rifle - .458 Winchester Magnum. Automatic ejectors, 26" Chopper Lump barrels, false sideplates, Greener style crossbow, and open sights. This rifle was special ordered in 1977 by Winchester Custom Guns of Dobbs Ferry, New York, so marked under the barrels. Both barrels are marked "BOHLER-RASANT' and "WINCHESTER .458 MAG". The rifle is profusely high relief engraved in maple leaf motif and African game scenes. The engraving is of master quality and extends onto barrels at chamber. A heavy, bold relief gold lion and elephant head are inset on both sides of barrels, which sport a quarter rib, wind-drift rear sight and ramp front sight. The frame and sideplates are finished in satin grey, engraved with animal scenes and three gold inlaid cape buffalo on one side and three elephant on the other. A gold lion adorns the underside of the receiver. Wood is best quality European walnut with beautiful fine line checkering and sports a factory installed Pachmayr black recoil pad. The rifle shows only slight use and handling marks with a small chip the side of a match head at top right tang side panel and a few light impression marks. Checkering is razor sharp. Sports a Deeley release. All metal on forend is finely engraved in contrasting satin and blue. Mint bores. 98% original blue with light high edge wear. Fine bore and action. Working automatic ejectors. Weight is 10 lbs. Features double triggers. 14 - 7/8" length of pull from pad to front trigger. Built in Ferlach, Austria and on display at Alpine Village in Torrance, California, where it was unfired until 2006. It was once offered for sale as a pair with a matching over/under rifle. Comes in a Winchester hard case to replicate this rifle today would cost over $75,000 and is truly a master work of art, capable of downing the world's most dangerous game if one so chose.
Caliber/Bore
.458 Winchester Magnum