2020 September Premier, Volume I

LOT 321
Fabulous Cased, Wallace & Swartley
Signed, Relief Engraved and Gold Inlaid
Griffin & Howe Custom Mauser Bolt
Action Rifle Safari Club International
25th Anniversary Show/Auction Gun
with Zeiss Scope and Accessories - Serial
no. 2800, 416 Rigby cal., 25 inch round
bbl., blue finish, checkered maple stock.
The fantastically embellished custom rifle
was manufactured by the world famous
firm of Griffin & Howe for the Safari Club
International’s 25th anniversary convention.
The rifle features a banded, hooded, ramped
beaded blade front sight with deeply cut vine scroll
engraving starting at the muzzle and terminating in
a wedge just behind the front sight ramp, gold inlaid
muzzle band, and matching engraved and gold inlaid
scroll on the front sight hood. The center point of
the barrel features another large flourish of deeply
cut scroll engraving with brilliant gold inlaid leaf and
floral accents. The top of the barrel is marked “No.
2800 GRIFFIN & HOWE INC. NEW YORK” between the
central band and raised quarter rib. The quarter rib
has yet more matching engraving with a three leaf
(one standing, two folding) express notch rear sight
graduated from 100 to 300 yards with gold inlaid
markings and center lines. The rear portion of the
rib is marked “416 RIGBY S.C.I.” in gold inlay between
the breech and rear sight. The single square bridge
action is fitted with engraved scope bases, matching
engraved and gold inlaid rings, and a Carl Zeiss
Diavari-Z 1.25-4x24 scope. The receiver ring is engraved
with fine scroll surrounding matching relief chiseled
gold inlaid cape buffalo heads on either side, the bolt
and extractor have been brilliantly engine turned and
the Oberndorf factory markings have been inlaid with
gold. The bolt handle and shroud have been engraved
with matching leafy scroll and feature matching scroll
and floral gold inlays. The floorplate is engraved with
contrasting broad leaf scroll with gold inlaid leaves at
the corners and a finely detailed scene of three cape
buffalo at the center rendered in fine relief carved gold
inlay with a gold inlaid laurel border and the engravers’
signatures on the front bevel “TERRY WALLACE &
ROBERT SWARTLEY.” The trigger guard is engraved to
match with a small gold inlaid cape buffalo skull. Fitted
with a highly attractive tiger stripe red maple pistol
grip stock with multi-point checkering, ebony forend
cap, engraved and gold inlaid grip cap, raised
cheekpiece, and full engraved and checkered steel
buttplate with a gold inlaid cape buffalo standing
over “S.C.I./25/ANNIVERSARY” also inlaid in gold.
Includes a Galco (numbered “2800” to match the
gun) Griffin & Howe leather bound hardwood case
with green suede fitted interior with compartments
for the rifle, bolt, and scope, leather sling, leather lens caps
for the scope, three-piece cleaning rod, ebony snap cap, 10
rounds (five soft point, five FMJ) .416 Rigby ammunition with
matching “SCI BELL 25TH/416 RIGBY” headstamps, and Griffin
& Howe knife with Damascus steel 4 1/2 inch drop point blade and matching striped maple handle. Terry Wallace began engraving full time in 1984,
after studying under master engraver Robert Swartley, one of the founders of the Firearms Engravers Guild of America. Together they teamed up
with Griffin & Howe to create this masterpiece for the 25th anniversary of Safari Club International, one of the premier conservation organizations on
the planet.
CONDITION:
Excellent overall
with 99% of the
bright Griffin &
Howe blue finish
remaining, some
scattered light
handling marks,
sharp engraving,
and complete gold
inlays. The stock
is also excellent
with sharp checkering, some small scattered
dings, and some small scratches visible on the
left side ahead of the wrist. Mechanically excellent. Scope is excellent with clear optics. Case is very good with visible scuffs
and scratches on the exterior. Accessories are very good with visible storage patina on the brass components including the
ammunition. This is an opportunity to own an absolutely stunning big game bolt rifle from a milestone SCI Convention!
Estimate: 9500 - 16000
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