2504 FINE AUSTRIAN FULL STOCK TIP DOWN SINGLE SHOT

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,750.00 USD
Estimated at 3,500.00 - 6,500.00 USD
STALKING RIFLE BY ALBERT STAEHLE OF VIENNA. Cal. 8.15 x 46R (?). S# 1502. The 26-1/4" octagon to round barrel is engraved with maker's name, title and address on integral wide matted full length rib. "V" notch single leaf rear and German silver barley corn front sights are dovetailed through. Round bodied action with forward pivoting opening lever is fitted with back spring peninsula lock having non-rebounding serpentine hammer, double set triggers and large trigger guard with three finger spurs. Action and lock are engraved with sprays of scroll within small scroll borders. "Staehle" and "WIEN" (Albert Staehle is known to have been working in Vienna in the late 1860's) are at rear of lockplate. Buttstock of somewhat fiddle figured European walnut measures 13" over steel buttplate engraved with scroll and S#. Stock features right hand swept cheekpiece, point pattern checkering and sling loop on flattened toeline. Two piece forend extends to muzzle with schnabled horn tip. Rear portion of forend is attached to action so barrel lifts out in early German style. Front and rear forend pieces are separated buy German silver plates and attach to barrel with captive sidebolts through oval steel escutcheons. CONDITION: fine. Barrel retaining nearly all of a good quality rust re-blue most likely done after sleeving to this small caliber. Muzzle is engraved to hide joint. Joint is nearly invisible on breech end but can be seen in extractor cut. Action retains traces of case color where protected, perhaps as much as 15%. Stocks retain most of what appears to be their original oil finish with some added oil over a good number of bumps and knocks. Checkering has been cleaned. Action is tight. Lock is good. Triggers work. Bore is bright and shiny. A great little hunting rifle. Although primarily a target cartridge, in some loadings the 8.15 x 46R is equal to the 30-30 Winchester. (01-24211/MGM). ANTIQUE. $3,500-6,500.