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LOT 539
Excellent Factory Master M. Magis Signed and Engraved Gold
Inlaid Belgian Browning BAR Grade V Semi-Automatic Rifle -
Serial no. 70328M70, 30-06 cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1970. This example
features a tapered barrel manufactured with beaded blade front and folding leaf rear sights. The left side near the
breech is marked with the one line address over “MADE IN BELGIUM”, and the caliber designation and “BROWNING PATENTS” are on
the right side. Each side of the receiver is engraved with scenes with three gold inlaid animals (antelope on left, deer on right) with a gold inlaid wire border. Surrounding the scenes is a
floral vine design with a punch dot background. The same floral vine design is on the bottom of the magazine and trigger guard. The receiver is signed “M MAGIS” on the left side. The top
of the receiver has a matte finish and is factory drilled and tapped for scope mounting. Mounted in a nicely figured floral scroll carved forearm and pistol grip stock with sling swivel studs
and Browning buttplate.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% plus original blue finish with minimal handling marks mostly near the stock toe, and crisp engraving and stock checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
LOT 540
Louis Vrancken Signed Factory Engraved Fabrique Model 98 Bolt Action Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 32998, 220 Swift cal., 24
inch round bbl., blue/French grey finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in Belgium. The barrel is fitted with ramped hooded beaded
blade front sight and a rear sight dovetail filler block installed, and has a wedge of floral scroll engraving on top of the chamber stretching up to the
rear sight dovetail. The French grey action displays floral scroll engraving surrounding four classically styled mythical animals on the receiver ring and
bridge as well as the floorplate and triggerguard. The engraving is signed on the right side of the receiver bridge “L. VRANCKEN” for the FN master engraver
Louis Vrancken. The receiver wall is marked with the Fabrique Nationale manufacturer marking. Mounted in a nicely figured multipoint checkered walnut pistol
grip stock with engraved fittings, a silver initial oval containing the initials “L” and “J”, cheekpiece, and FN serrated buttplate.
CONDITION: Excellent as engraved by FN Master engraver Louis Vrancken, retaining 99% plus original blue finish and 98% plus original French grey finish with
limited handling marks, and crisp engraving. Stock is very fine with some dings and scratches, and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,000 - 8,000