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LOT 3475
Rare Relief Engraved Gold Monogramed Early Seymour Griffin Custom Built Springfield Model 1903 Bolt Action Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 1234446, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, highly figured checkered walnut stock. Originally manufactured in 1921 as a military
rifle and soon after upgraded to its configuration by soon to be world famous New York gunsmith Seymour Griffin. Griffin would soon go on to be a founding member of Griffin & Howe, arguably America’s premier producer of fine sporting rifles, with this rifle being part of the foundation for things to come. The rifle features a blued “3-22” dated star gauged barrel with the original front sight base holding a Marble’s Sheard blade, barrel ring for a third stock bolt which doubles as the front sling swivel, and remnants of the original military markings aside from the date. The action bears the original
Springfield markings and serial number on the front receiver ring, blued bolt with flattened and checkered knob, and an added Lyman rear peep sight. The bottom metal is beautifully scroll and relief panel scene engraved with a highly detailed and attractive moose scene on the floorplate and a gold inlaid three letter monogram reading “TGA” on the triggerguard (possibly Kornbrath, though no documentation). The floorplate is also marked with the all important pre-Griffin & Howe “S. R. GRIFFIN, NEW YORK” marking. The rifle is mounted in a beautifully figured and multi-point checkered pistol grip stock with classic lines, a narrow forend with horn tip, a dark horn grip cap, rear sling swivel, and a checkered steel trapdoor buttplate.
CONDITION: Very fine as period custom built/crafted by Seymour Griffin, retaining 90% plus blue finish with some thinning on the triggerguard, some subsurface pitting on the rear edge of the floorplate outside the engraving, and a few light rubs on the front half of the barrel. The stock is also very fine with a few light dings and scratches, two tiny cracks at the rear of the upper tang, and sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rare opportunity to own a piece from an American legend early in his career!
Provenance: Property of a Distinguished Southern Clergyman.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
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