October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2019
(1990) 24 - 7/8" chopper lump barrels are fitted with quarter rib having square shouldered dolls head extension. Rib is set with one standing, two folding leaf express rear sight, marked in gold for 100, 200, and 300 yards. Ends of rib are scroll engraved. The center is engraved "J & L Wilkins & Co Birmingham England" in Old English script. Transition of quarter rib to mid rib is nicely stippled. Matching front ramp holds silver bead. Tops of barrels are engraved with caliber and load information. Barrel flats are stamped with 1990 Birmingham nitro proofs for .470 Nitro. Bottoms of barrels are stamped with serial numbers. A sling eye is screwed to bottom rib. Robust case hardened boxlock action features non-automatic safety, gold plated internals, bushed strikers, and double triggers (front articulated). Action is nicely filed and finished and is engraved with 80% coverage very nicely cut varying sized shaded scroll. Maker's name is in gold on each side and caliber is in gold on trigger plate. Blued trigger guard with serial number in gold surrounded by scroll on bow has tang which extends to case hardened and engraved steel grip cap in traditional British fashion. Striking broadly fiddle figured and very nicely marbled flesh tone European walnut pistol grip buttstock measures 14 - 3/4" over Silver type pad. Stock features classic styling with drop points, point pattern checkering at grip and nicely formed right hand shadow line cheekpiece. A sling eye and vacant silver oval are on toe line. Matching slim beavertail Southgate ejector forend has Anson release. Weight: 11 lbs 6 oz. Gun is housed in good quality leather case with brass corners and round central medallion which has leather trimmed canvas outer cover. Case is lined in burgundy cloth and has gold embossed Wilkins label in lid. Accessories include three horn handled turnscrews, round oil bottle, and a pair of snap caps. CONDITION: Excellent, very close to new, with evidence of very little firing and handling since proof, most has been done with right barrel which shows some firing halo on breech face. Mechanically excellent. Case is excellent. Accessories are excellent. J & L Wilkins is known to have made a number of high quality double and bolt action rifles in the 1990's, several in .700 nitro, one of which was featured in January 2010 GUNS & AMMO (copy in case) used by Bill Jones in Zimbabwe in 2009. This rifle obviously shoots very well, the "final regulation target" is also in case, showing two shots almost touching 1/2" above aiming point (distance not specified). MGM61.
Caliber/Bore
.470 Nitro Express
Drop at Heel
approx 2 - 5/8"
Length of Pull
14 - 3/4" Neutral cast