2020 September Premier, Volume I

Exceptional Engraved & Gold Inlaid Arnold Griebel Signed Rifle
Featuring the Coveted “Grand Slam” of North American Sheep Hunting
LOT 327
Fantastic Engraved and Gold Inlaid Master Engraver Arnold Griebel
Signed Rifle Ranch Custom “Grand Slam” Polish Wz.29 Mauser Bolt
Action Rifle in .276 Newton with Scope - Serial no. 74763Z, 276 cal., 24
1/4 inch round bbl., blue/coin finish, walnut stock. This master engraved
and gold inlaid, Rifle Ranch Custom 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. The rifle features a medium weight tapered barrel with “RIFLE
RANCH/.276 NEWT” on the left side at the breech, Buehler one-piece swivel
scope base, Redfield 4x scope with matching engraved rings, overall high
polish blue finish, original “Wz.29” model marking on the left receiver rail,
bright polished bolt with blue extractor, two position safety, swept bolt
handle with smooth, round knob, and adjustable Jaeger trigger. The bulk
of the eye catching embellishment is on the trigger guard assembly and
floorplate which features borders of flowing scroll engraving surrounding
semi-relief gold inlaid images of the four species of North American
wild sheep that comprise the coveted “Grand Slam” of North American
sheep hunting. The rendered sheep are of course the Dall, Stone, Rocky
Mountain Bighorn, and Desert Bighorn. Jim Wilkinson was registered
member number 25 of the OVIS Grand Slam Club, an honor shared with
famous outdoorsman and registered member number 1 Jack O’Connor.
The forward end of the trigger guard assembly is inscribed “GRAND SLAM/
ENGR.BY/1963/A. GRIEBEL”. A gold inlaid “JSW” monogram is at the rear of
the trigger guard. There is a hidden inscription on the inside edge of the
floorplate which reads “ENGR. BY A. GRIEBEL FOR JIM WILKINSON RIFLE
RANCH”. Attractive light toned, checkered walnut pistol grip stock with
horn forend cap, checkered blue steel grip cap, raised cheek piece, and
solid rubber Rifle Ranch branded recoil pad.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 99% high polish custom blue finish,
and some very light handling marks. The engraving on the trigger guard
assembly is sharp and highly detailed with highly legible inscription.
The stock is very fine with crisp checkering, some small scattered dings
and scratches, visible 1 1/2 inch hairline surface crack just under the
cheekpiece, and moderate wear on the pad. Mechanically excellent.
Scope is excellent with clear optics. A stunning Rifle Ranch custom
Mauser commemorating one man’s milestone in American big horn sheep
hunting!
Estimate: 5500 - 9500
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