2020 September Premier, Volume I

Attractive Engraved J.P. Sauer & Son Custom Mauser Rifle
LOT 325
Attractive Engraved J.P. Sauer & Son Mauser Bolt Action Rifle with
Scope - Serial no. 184319, 30-06 Springfield cal., 21 inch part octagon solid rib
bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This very fine custom J.P. Sauer & Son Mauser rifle
is from the collection of the late Jim Wilkinson of Prescott, Arizona. Wilkinson
grew up spending his summers working the family Granite Dells Ranch in Arizona
and returning to his native Illinois for school in the fall. Wilkinson attended the
University of Illinois and began his career in his family’s Central Illinois lumberyards.
In 1946, he permanently moved to Arizona to work his own ranch in Granite
Dells and establish the Rifle Ranch, a gun store specializing in custom rifles, hand
loading, and shooting supplies. Wilkinson was an avid hunter with expeditions
to Canada and Alaska as well as more exciting destinations such as Africa,
Afghanistan, India, and Nepal, all in the pursuit of mountain sheep. Wilkinson
would become the 10th person in the world to achieve the “Super Slam” which is
a collection of 16 different types of wild sheep found on four separate continents.
Wilkinson passed away in 2001. The included Rifle Ranch tags attribute the
gunsmithing work to Bob Owen and the engraving to Albin Oblitschnig of Ferlach,
Austria. 1/3rd octagon to round barrel with raised beaded blade front and flip up
175 meter rear notch sights on the full length barrel rib marked “J.P. SAUER & SON,
SUHL-PRUSSIA”. With French gray, oak leaf and acorn engraved scope rings, Lyman
Alaskan scope, jewelled bolt and extractor, engraved bolt handle, Jaeger
trigger, and standard three position Mauser safety. The trigger guard
assembly, floorplate, grip cap, and buttplate are highly embellished
with deep cut game scene engraving with a standing grizzly bear
on the floorplate, whitetail deer bust on the trigger guard, bugling
elk on the grip cap, and a standing big horn sheep on the buttplate
trap. Each scene is bordered with fine, classic
Germanic oak leaf and acorn motif. Checkered walnut
pistol grip stock with horn forend cap, raised shadow-line cheekpiece,
and leather sling.
CONDITION: Very fine with 95% bright polished blue finish remaining, some
light edge wear at the muzzle, some small traces of visible spotting, and slightly
darkened patina on the bolt body. The engraving is sharp, deep, and highly
detailed. The stock is also very fine with crisp checkering, small dings and bruises
throughout, and a 3/16 inch hairline crack visible at the right side of the heel.
Mechanically excellent. Scope is excellent with 95% original blue on the tube and
clear optics.
Estimate: 3500 - 5500
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