April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
(1931) The Halger firm retailed a line of hyper velocity (for the time) cartridges and built very expensive rifles to handle them. The most famous cartridge was the .280 Halger magnum which was based on the .280 Ross case at advertised velocities well in excess of 3000 feet per second. The .244 Halger magnum is very seldom seen, but Halger advertising indicated an 87 grain bullet reached 3770 feet per second at the muzzle! From existing specimens of these rifles, it seems that Halger sourced his barrels and actions from J. P. Sauer & Sohn, with Sauer serial numbers. This rifle has 26" tapered round barrel mounted with one standing leaf rear and silver bead front in square sleeved-on block. Top of barrel is engraved "Halger - Waffen, Kiel" and marked "Krupp - Laufstahl". Bottom of barrel is stamped with December 1931 German nitro proofs. Standard length large ring Model 98 action is engraved "HALGER No 33" and with proofs and serial number on left side of nicely matted receiver ring. Top of sidewall is engraved "Halger .244 H. V. Magnum". Case hardened bolt has had handle turned down and lengthened. Knob is checkered in two round panels. Double pull trigger is retained, and bottom metal has removable floorplate retained by lever at rear. Rear portion of barrel and action bridge are fitted with claw scope bases. Lightly figured European walnut steel capped pistol grip stock measures 13" over composition buttplate with Sauer logo. A Greener type side safety is installed. There is well cut closely spaced point pattern checkering at grip and on both sides of long slim schnabeled forend. Weight: 7 lbs. 13 oz. CONDITION: Good to fine, as found. Metal parts retain most of their original blue with stains and wear evident overall considerably worn on trigger guard. Stock retains most of its original finish with a large number of knocks and dings, with some very deep marks on left side of forend checkering,
which is worn and dirty. Bore is very fine to excellent, with strong rifling throughout, with a bit of erosion at throat. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of Francis Brown. MGM 108.
Caliber/Bore
.244 Halger High Velocity Magnum
Serial Number
261956 (Sauer) Halger no. 33