GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
HOFFMAN ARMS MAGNUM SQUARE BRIDGE MAUSER DANGEROUS GAME RIFLE ENGRAVED AND INLAID BY RUDOLF KORNBRATH. HOFFMAN BOLT RIFLE 17 375 H&H MODERN; C&R; IVORY Cal. 375 H&H. 24" Half octagon, half round bbl has integral rib, front portion thinned and slightly milled away forming front ramp. Top is stippled and engraved "No 17 Hoffman Arms Co Cleveland, Ohio" in front of three folding leaf express rear sight with leaves for 100, 200, and 300 yards. Matching front ramp holds ivory bead, and has sight protector with knurled end. A wide sling eye is partially sleeved-on. Magnum length square bridge Mauser action has been fitted with Hoffman's folding peep sight set into bridge. Sidewall is engraved "WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER - OBERNDORF - a/ n". Receiver ring is stippled, with heavier stippling on top. Damascened bolt with long cocking piece and standard flag safety retains orig pear shaped bolt handle which has some floral engraving. Drop box bottom metal with hinged floorplate release in trigger guard bow is engraved with about 50% coverage very well cut varying types of scroll. This fine scroll surrounds bust of grizzly bear in relief gold on floorplate, with trigger guard gold inlaid with initials "JLW". This fine engraving was most certainly done by Rudolf Kornbrath who did the bulk of Hoffman's engraving. Nicely marbled and lightly figured European walnut stock measures 14" over wraparound leather faced Silver type pad, and features right hand shadow line cheekpiece, engraved steel grip cap, and horn forend tip. Checkering at grip and forend is nicely cut and has acanthus carving at sides and ends which have stippled background. In addition there are unusual panels of carving either side of action in floral acanthus style. Drop at heel: approx 2-5/8", drop at comb: approx 1-3/4". Cast: approx 1/2" off. Weight: 8 lbs. 11 oz. LOP: 14". CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refinished. Metal parts retain most of what appears to be their orig blue on bbl and action, with some cleaned spots of oxidation on right side of bbl. Bolt damascening remains strong. Trigger guard and forward part of bottom metal retain most of their blue, possibly enhanced. Engraving remains sharp and clear. Wood retains nearly all of an old oil refinish over numerous minor marks and dents, as well as a few scratches. Carving is very slightly softened. Checkering is lightly worn, and has not been re-cut. Pad is most likely original. Bore is excellent, bright, sharp and shiny throughout. Action is smooth. A fine, classic Hoffman; this rifle was pictured in ORIGINAL OBERNDORF SPORTING RIFLES by John Speed et al, as figure 961 on p. 425, and pictured again as figure 560 on p. 251. 50655-5 MGM150 (15,000-20,000)