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On this Model 99 Fugger signed
his masterpiece on the underside of
the receiver: “JOS. FUGGER ENGRAVER.”
The receiver is the steel canvas that
has been beautifully and meticulously
engraved with fine scrollwork on
stippled background surrounding relief
woodland game scenes depicting an elk on the left side and a whitetail
stag on the right side. These panel scenes are fabulous. As expected
with Fugger’s engraving, the patterns are highly accomplished whose
skill sets are equal to the superb level of craftsmanship that carries
to his name. The scrollwork extends to the underside of the receiver,
upper tang, and the base to the Redfield receiver sight. The chamber
is decorated with a fine checkerboard pattern surrounding the
model marking “SAVAGE/MODEL 99.” The buttstock pistol grip is also
engraved. The rifle is fitted with a ramp blade Redfield front featuring
a red insert, a Marbles folding adjustable leaf rear sight, and a Redfield
tang peep sight. The barrel has the two-line Savage legend ahead of
the rear sight on top and the caliber designation “.300 SAVAGE” on the
left side at the breech. Sling eyelets are mounted on the underside
of the forearm and buttstock. The bolt and extractor are jeweled,
the lever is casehardened, and the remaining surfaces are blued. The
buttstock is highly figured walnut, and both the forearm and stock are
finely checkered. The underside of the stock has an initial shield with the initials “PTB.” The Savage buttplate is serrated with engraved checkerboard patterns at the heel and toe.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as embellished by Master Engraver Joseph Fugger, retaining 97% of the blue finish with some wear on the underside of the receiver and crisp engraving. The lever retains 99% plus
of the vivid case colors. The wood is also excellent with some very scattered handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A superb work of art by renowned Master Engraver Joseph Fugger.
Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
LOT 30
Exceptional Joseph Fugger Signed Master
Game Scene Relief Engraved Savage
Model 99 Lever Action Rifle - Serial no.
368077, 300 Savage cal., 24 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in
1937 and subsequently custom engraved
by Master Engraver Joseph Fugger. Austrian
born, Fugger trained in Ferlach and worked
for renowned Master Engraver Rudolph
Kornbrath. From the late 1920s to 1960
Fugger was the in house engraver for Griffin
& Howe and Abercrombie & Fitch. Fugger has
been called “the unsurpassed engraver of his
generation in the U.S.” This Model 99 certainly
showcases his talents and per our consignor
was featured on the cover of an issue to Gun
World.
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