4295 FABULOUS FACTORY GOLD & PLATINUM INLAID NO. 15

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 25,000.00 USD
Estimated at 50,000.00 - 75,000.00 USD
PATTERN ENGRAVED MARLIN 1893 TAKEDOWN SPECIAL LIGHTWEIGHT RIFLE, SUPERB CONDITION. Cal. 30-30. S# 164469 shows that this super rare Conrad Ulrich masterpiece was manufactured in 1898. Decorated with a spectacular deep relief game scene of a battle to the death between 3 hunting dogs and a large stag. The stag is tossing one of the dogs well into the air while the other two circle, nipping at the stags legs. The right side of the receiver depicts a well detailed bull moose feeding on a sapling. The receiver belly is further embellished with a vignette of a big horn sheep. The scenes are surrounded by beautiful foliate vine scroll engraving that extends to the barrel extension, lever, hammer, breech end of the barrel, and forearm cap. The engraving is accented with gold wire inlay that borders the upper and lower frame, as well as, the lever, bolt, hammer, & barrel extension. The breech end of the 22 inch round Special Smokeless Steel barrel is embellished with two gold bands sandwiching one platinum band. It carries a half length takedown magazine, German silver sporting blade front sight, and 2 leaf folding rear sight. Mounted with an exhibition grade thin shell walnut stock that is checkered in special grade 15 checkering featuring finely checked segmented circles, as found with No. E pattern w/ fleur-de-lis at the forward and rear portions of the checkered panels. The forearm is wrapped with fine cut borderless checkering and is terminated with a smooth steel engraved nose cap. The butt is finished with a hard rubber shotgun buttplate. CONDITION: Overall superb example with the barrel and magazine tube retaining 95-98% of the original blue with only light fading and a few scattered minor marks. The delicate case colors remain in the protected areas fading to a balance of silver that nicely highlights the beautiful engraving. The inlays are superb without loss of material. The small parts lever, hammer, & trigger remain in great shape with traces of original case in the protected areas. The stock retains its original finish with some light checkering wear to the high points, a moderate abrasion on the right side, and scattered mild handling marks. An extraordinarily well executed small repair to the toe of the butt & buttplate is not visible to the naked eye, however when a bright light is applied and the buttplate is removed it is evident. The matching of the wood finish in this area is superb and well blended with the original finish. Bore is good but dark with light wear to the rifling. PROVENANCE: William Blount Collection of Extraordinary Marlins. (01-25291/ZAL). ANTIQUE. $50,000- 75,000.