November 5th & 6th 2016 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/5/2016
Roy Weatherby financed his original company in 1946 with $50,000. His early works were basically custom rifles built for clients using the old FN Mauser action. It was not until 1949 that Roy Weatherby ordered his first Mauster actions directly from FN in Belgium with his name and California stamped on frame. This early rifle pre-dates the stamped frames that began in 1949, which would indicate production sometime between 1946 and 1948. The stock is distinctively Weatherby which has been his trademark since the beginning of his custom rifles. The rifle was stocked in exotic Myrtle wood with his signature rakish Monte Carlo comb, wide pistol grip with rosewood cap, and rosewood forend top. The grip and forend were finely checkered. Sling eyes installed, with a Pachmayr red waffle pad, and his most distinguishing characteristic of a Weatherby rifle, the contrasting wood inlays that were popular with custom gunsmiths after the war. The right side of the stock features the decorative triple wood inlay of black walnut, maple, and mesquite, this design is repeated on both sides of the forend. The design found under the forend has a silver inlay instead of maple and the pistol grip cap has a white inlaid diamond of maple. In addition, the floor plate is engraved with a silver overlay antlered game with silver diamond on trigger guard. The action is a Mauser action that bears no markings other than the serial number. Likewise, the barrel is simply stamped “Weatherby .257 Roberts”. Roy realized early on that he needed something other than stock work to set him apart, so by 1951 the Weatherby line consisted of Wild Cat Weatherby only cartridges based on existing cartridges; another major portion of his business at that time was rechambering customer’s rifles to the uniquely different Weatherby chamberings. In fact, the 1951 catalog does not list the .257 Roberts as being available through his company, as he had completely converted to his own line of rifles and matching chamberings. These very early rifles, especially those made for standard cartridges, are extremely difficult to find and rarely seen. As to condition, this rifle was made sans any rear sight, but does have a banded front sight stamped “C.A. Dahl”. It has solid steel Buehler mounts and rings (no scope). Barrel retains 98% original blue with a couple spots of freckling. Bolt is polished. Stock is excellent with no cracks or chips. Fine bore and action. Simply a beautiful and very early Weatherby custom rifle. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this firearm will be given to Ducks Unlimited Canada.