September 10-12, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/10/2024
Circa 1914. A handsome big game safari rifle with 26” blacked steel chopper lump nitro proofed barrels. Barrels are fit with extractors. Rib is fit with quarter rib, which is concave and stippled. Quarter rib with one standing sight regulated at 100 yards and two folding leaf sights regulated for 200 and 300 yards. Rib also with bladed front sight, flip up low light sight, and dolls head extension. Barrels are fit for side clips. Top of right barrel reads “JOHN WILKES”. Left barrel reads “31 GERARD ST LONDON.W.”. Bottom rib with loop for sling and reads “600 3 INCH CASE”, CORDITE 110 GRS BULLET 900 GRS”, “8083”. Barrel flats stamped with London proofs, “600 EX”, CORDITE 110-900 MAX”. Gray patina boxlock action with third fastener, side clips, set disk strikers, double triggers, engraved and checkered top lever, engraved and checkered slide safe. “SAFE” is engraved. Rifle is built with auto-safe. Action is engraved with scrolls and two vintage game scenes. An elephant in tall grass is engraved on right, while a rhinoceros in tall grass is engraved on left. Water table is engraved with serial number. Triggers are protected by a blacked scroll engraved guard that extends through a full length bottom strap which is engraved with scrolls and the serial number. Reddish brown English walnut stock with semi-smooth checkered pistol grip. Grip with steel grip cap. Stock belly with loop for sling and stock is finished by a 1” orange rubber pad. Splinter forend with Anson push plunger release and checkered escutcheon. Exterior iron metal is scroll engraved, and interion iron metal is blacked and bears the serial number. Rifle lives in a British tan oak and leather case with “JOHN WILKES” paper trade label and vacant charge card. Case is fit with snap caps, cleaning tools, and reloading equipment. Further accompanied by one copy of each of Cal Pappas's books, "The .600 Nitro Express", "The British Bore Rifle", and "The Double Rifle Primer", approximately 15 boxes of Woodleigh bullets, approximately 50 brass cases for .600 Nitro, and set of RCBS dies. John Wilkes letter dated 1992 indicates the rifle was completed in 1913, and was probably sold to a professional hunter, and a letter from Craig Whitsey with the original configurations, and indicating April 20th, 1914, and sold April 22nd, 1914. CONDITION: Excellent. Barrels excellent with very light handling marks. Bores are excellent. Action is sound. Stock with some handling marks. Forend is very good. Case and tools are excellent. PROVENANCE: Cal Pappas Collection
CORRECTION: The barrels on this gun have been reblued, the stocks heavily sanded and revarnished, and a new pad added.
Accessories
Case, Reloading Components
Paperwork
Article drafts, books