Description:

serial #10372, 8x57JRS, 23” Krupp Gussstahl barrels with bright excellent bores. This is an exceptional little double ejector rifle from this top-notch maker. The barrels retain about 98-99% original maker blue and are maker marked above the chambers. They show light sprays of engraving at the breeches and on the rib extension and on the solder between the barrels at the muzzle face. The sideplated frame shows near overall excellent quality tight scroll and floral decoration with banknote filigree bordering and retains 98% original vivid color case-hardening, muting only slightly in a few spots with wear to pewter on the sharp edges. The triggerguard bow retains nearly all its original blue and is similarly embellished with top lever and thumb safety identical, “safe” inlaid in gold on the tang. The classic style checkered capped pistolgrip English walnut buttstock rates excellent with a nice rounded shadowline left side cheekpiece. The checkered panels feature mullered borders and there is a smart bone pistolgrip cap. The splinter forend rates excellent as well and has a gold letter “P” inlaid at the center diamond of the checkering pattern. Both the iron and Anson pushbutton release show some very nice colors. The length of pull to the solid widows peak rifle pad is 15” with drops of 1 1/4” and 2 1/2”. As-mentioned the arm features ejectors, both triggers are single set, the safety is automatic and the barrels feature dual under lugs with a Holland-style hidden third fastener. The rifle features a lovely hand-matted rib which raises to a front ramp which has a simple fire blued bead style sight, with dual leaf rear, single standing, one folding, regulated for 100 and 200 yards; there are quick release Springer scope bases maker-installed on the rib. The integral see-through scope rings mount a Carl Zeiss Zielvier telescopic sight which is neatly maker engraved with Johan Springer’s name and address to the rear of the objective lens. It rates excellent and features a heavy duplex German reticle with excellent optics. The crosshatched burnishing on the breech faces is brilliant as is the fire blue on the faces of the firing pin bushings showing the slightest drag from the ejectors, appearing to have seen a very little or no use over the years. The arm comes cased in a British leather covered luggage case with the brass reinforced corners, the lid embossed “Frederick F. A. Pearson Jr, Sulby Hall, Rugby”, the case itself rating very good with the expected minor scuffs and handling marks from the years. The gun handles swiftly and weighs in at 7 1/2 pounds. A beautiful rifle, proved in 1929, remaining in a remarkable state of condition from this “best” Austrian maker. (3D9100-1236) {C&R} [Richard “Stretch” Kennedy Collection] (7000/9000)

Lot closed - Winning bid:$15,000