GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
INCREDIBLE RELIEF GOLD INLAID RUGER NO. 1 CUSTOM ENGRAVED AND STOCKED SINGLE SHOT RIFLE.RUGERNO.1 CUSTOM1187MM MAGMODERNCal. 7mm Remington Mag. Spectacular custom rifle inspired by the 1985 produced Ruger No. 1 rifle engraved with gold inlaid sheep motif that was auctioned to benefit the Arms and Armour Gallery of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. That rifle was the first of a series of 21 North American big game rifles that was to be produced. This rifle has a 22" tapered rnd bbl, gold bead ramp mounted front sight and quarter rib with single folding leaf. Mounted with incredible Circassian walnut with spectacular checkered, ebony tipped, Ruger-style forearm and pistol grip stock with fluted side panels and cheekpiece 13-1/2" over a skeleton buttplate. Bbl is mounted with a stalking swivel ring with corresponding base in the buttstock. Receiver is incredibly engraved, probably by renowned engraver Franz Marktl who engraved the rifle mentioned above. Engraving consists of the large vignette of three Dall Sheep on the left side, two standing and one recumbent, executed in full relief gold in spectacular detail, set in a mountain scene. Right side has the large vignette of two North American Big Horn Sheep, one standing and one recumbent, also executed in full relief in equal detail, also in a mountain scene. Remainder of the receiver is engraved in outstanding, intertwined foliate arabesque patterns with a French grey finish. Both vignettes and top & bottom of receiver are outlined in flush gold wire inlay. Matching engraving patterns and gold wire inlay extend up the bbl over the chamber area, on both sides of the quick detachable scope rings which contain a Leupold Vari-X-III 1.5-5X Scope. Sides of the quarter rib are engraved in a very fine diamond and dot pattern with interspersed foliate arabesque patterns which are also on the top front edges. Front edge of the rib also has gold wire inlay with matching engraving and gold wire patterns on rear face of front sight ramp. The stalking swivel ring is inlaid in gold wire. Lever is engraved to match also with gold wire inlay, as is the buttplate heel and toe. The French grey steel grip cap is beautifully engraved with the full relief bust of a Dall Sheep also executed in fantastic detail. The custom forearm has a 3/4" x 1/2" oval inlay, beautifully engraved in a flower or sunburst pattern with gold wire border. This small inlay conceals the forearm attaching screw. Drop at the heel: approx 2-1/2"; drop at the comb: approx 1-7/8"; weight without scope: 7lbs 0oz. This is one of the most incredible pieces of gun art ever examined by this cataloger. CONDITION: Extremely fine+. Appears to be unfired since finishing. Overall retains virtually all of its beautiful custom finish to both metal and wood. Optics are crisp. Mechanics are fine. Brilliant, shiny bore. Appears to be new and unfired. 51758-1 JRL (12,500-22,500)