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LOT 3649
Exceptional Dennis McDonald Game Scene Engraved M. K. Owen Boxlock Double Rifle in .600 Nitro Express with Case and Ammunition - Serial no. 1036, 600 Nitro cal., 24 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This colossal .600 Nitro Express double rifle was built by Ken Owen, one of the only makers of fine double rifles in the United States, and rivals the beauty and quality of his European counterparts. The .600 N.E. is among the most powerful shoulder fired cartridges available, with one of the few exceptions being its bigger brother the .700 N.E., and is capable of taking any game this world has to offer. Built with massive blued steel barrels featuring a beaded blade front sight with a flip-up moon bead, raised rear quarter rib hosting a two leaf (one standing, one folding) rear sight with gold centerlines and marked “M. K. OWEN” and “600 N. E./100 GR. CORDITE/900 GR. BULLET”, and chambers with a single extractor. The casehardened action is of the same massive scale with “M. K. OWEN” in a banner on either side and fine scroll engraving along the edges and lines which extends to the toplever, both tangs, and the trigger guard. The underside shows a pair of African elephants in front of some acacia trees with beautiful detail work, depicting the game a rifle like this is truly made for. While the rifle is not signed by the engraver, an included letter from Ken Owen, the maker, states that the engraving was carried out by Dennis McDonald in 2020 when the rifle was finished.
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The rifle features bushed firing pins, a set of dual triggers, and a manual tang mounted safety switch. Exceptionally well-figured, multi-point checkered forend with asehardened and engraved fittings and a pistol grip stock with teardrop carved flats, a casehardened and engraved grip cap, shadowline cheekpiece, and a Decelerator recoil pad. The aforementioned included copy of a letter from Owen gives some background on his gunmaking and list the stock measurements for this, and the consecutively serialized .577 N.E. which is the previous lot in this sale. It also mentions that this and the .577 N.E. will likely be the last guns that he builds due to his age. Included is an oak & leather takedown case, loading data, and 20 .600 N.E. cartridges (14 soft points and 6 solids). The length of pull is 14 7/16 inches and the rifle weights in at 14 lbs. 7 oz.