Page 422 - 4090-BOOK1

LOT 578
Very Fine Factory Game Scene Engraved and Gold Inlaid Josef Just Sidelock Ejector Over/Under Double Rifle with Zeiss Scope - Serial no. 24259, 270 Win cal., 24 7/8 inch solid rib bbl., blue/coin/ gold finish, walnut stock. The city of Ferlach, Austria, has long been a hub of the European arms trade and home to some of the finest gunmakers in Europe. At the end of World War II there were 56 gunsmiths in Ferlach and by the time this gun was built in 1990, that number had fallen to somewhere around ten. Josef Just was among the best of the best, though, unfortunately the shops doors were closed in recent years, meaning no more beautiful pieces such as this are to come. This fine rifle by Josef Just features a blued Bohler steel part octagon barrel with beaded blade front and fixed rear sights along with engraved German claw mounts holding a Zeiss Diavari-ZM 1.5-6x42 T* scope on the matted solid rib which is marked “1790 - Josef Just. Ferlach - 1990” in fine gold inlay. The coin finished sidelock action has been elaborately decorated with extensive scrollwork, deep rose carving on the fences and bolsters, deep relief cut game scenes, and gold inlaid scrolling line borders surrounding it all. The game scenes consist of a group of mouflon on the left side, a herd of red stags and hinds on the right, and a huntsman in traditional dress on horseback depicted on the underside. The engraving extends to the pierced toplever, the triggerguard which bears a monogram under a coronet, and both tangs, the bottom of which is marked with a gold “III”. Though the engraving has no visible signature, it is clear that the work was carried out by the hands of one of Ferlach’s great masters. The rifle features double triggers with the front being a single set along with a tang mounted automatic safety with gold “S”. The walnut is of exceptional quality with fine figure and fish scale checkered three-piece forend which has engraved fittings and the Bavarian style pistol grip stock which features the bust of a hunting dog on the engraved coin grip cap, raised cheekpiece, engraved coin cartridge trap displaying a roe buck, and a rubber recoil pad. Length of pull 14 1/2 inches. Weight 9 lbs. 11 oz. with scope. CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and coin finishes, 97% original gold finish with the loss on the right side, minor handling evidence, and sharp scale checkering on the stock and forend. Scope optics are sharp. Mechanically excellent. Don’t miss this chance to own a masterwork from one of Ferlach’s oldest makers! Estimate: 20,000 - 32,500
420