2020 September Premier, Volume I

Big Cat Hunting Themed Master Engraved & Signed Franz Mack Deluxe Sporting Rifle
LOT 326
Rifle Ranch Master Engraved F. Mack Signed
Custom Deluxe Sporter Mauser Bolt Action
Rifle with Scope - Serial no. 700, 338 Win magnum
cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, checkered
walnut stock. This wonderfully Master Engraved
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 families 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. Medium weight tapered barrel
without sights, inscribed “NO. 700 RIFLE RANCH -
PRESCOTT. ARIZ.” on top and “.338 MAG” on the left
side at the breech. Magnum Mauser action with
French gray Redfield swivel scope base, Redfield 4x
scope, polished bolt body and extractor, knurled
bolt handle knob, and two position low profile
wing safety. The masterful embellishment on this
rifle starts at the scope rings with a leopard on the
front roaring male tiger on the rear, fully engraved
trigger guard assembly with borders of flowing
scroll and stalking tiger on the floorplate, American
mountain lion in repose on the trigger guard, nude
woman and male lion in repose on the grip cap,
and a leopard in a tree on the cartridge trap. The
right edge of the floorplate is signed “F. MACK”
for Ferlach, Austria Master Engraver Franz Mack.
Attractive checkered walnut pistol grip stock with
rosewood forend cap, two reinforcing plugs, raised
cheekpiece, and solid rubber Old English
recoil pad.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with
99% bright polished blue finish, crisp
markings, mild handling marks, and
slight plum coloration on the bolt
shroud. The engraving is very sharp
and detailed. The stock is very fine
with crisp checkering, and a few very
small scratches visible. Mechanically
excellent. A stunning tribute to big cat
hunting on three continents!
Estimate: 5000 - 9000
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