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LOT 508
Extraordinary Relief Game Scene Engraved R. G. Owen Model 1903
Bolt Action Sporting Rifle with Scope Attributed to Famed Director
Frank Capra - Serial no. 850, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rifle was built on a World War
I era Model 1903 action by renowned American stock maker and gunsmith
R. G. Owen. According to the included letter from his grandson, this rifle
was owned by legendary Hollywood director Frank Capra, who bought it
for an elk hunt and used it through the years mostly for mule deer. Born in
Italy, Capra embraced the American lifestyle after getting his citizenship in
1920. He worked in Hollywood in the early days and directed many films,
including the “Why We Fight” series of films during World War II educating
soldiers on what their purpose in the war was, a special project assigned
to Capra, by General George Marshall, after he joined up at the age of 44.
Built with a blued barrel featuring a hooded beaded blade front sight on a
ramped banded base, front sling swivel on a scroll engraved barrel band,
“R. G. OWEN, SAUQUOIT, N.Y. CAL. 30-06 # 850” signed on the top of the
barrel, and a 3 inch wedge of beautifully executed tight scroll engraving
at the breech. The barrel is fitted to the blued Model 1903 action which
displays extensive scroll engraving to match the barrel wedge and features
a casehardened and engraved magazine cutoff and bolt shroud with gold
inlaid “SAFE” and “READY” on the safety paddle, engraved Lyman rear sight
base, engraved bolt handle with extraordinary relief chiselled
bear head on the outer knob (checkering at the bottom),
and a Pachmayr scope mount holding a R. Noske scope. The
casehardened bottom metal shows near full coverage scroll
engraving with relief engraved roses on the inside-the-bow
release trigger guard as well as scroll engraving and more
relief roses on the floorplate surrounding a deep relief
engraved game scene showing a pair of rams in a forested
scene at the center. August Heym and Rudolph Kornbrath
are known to have engraved for Owen in the Sauquoit
days, and while the engraving is unsigned, it was clearly cut
by the hand of one of these masters, most likely Kornbrath.
Another very similarly engraved rifle, which was cut by the
same hand as this one, is available in this auction as Lot 3477.
The rifle is fitted in a gorgeous highly figured and fancy panel
checkered pistol grip stock with horn forend tip, carved arrowheads
at the drop points indicating the hand of Master Checker Bill Snyder,
blued and engraved trapdoor grip cap rear sling swivel, shadowline
cheekpiece, blank inscription oval, and a brown Decelerator recoil pad.
Includes a leather sling.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 95% blue finish, strong traces
of the case colors with the balance a highly attractive silver patina, light
handling evidence, some verdigris in the checkering, a few minor dings
and scratches on the stock, and sharp checkering and carving on the
stock. Mechanically excellent. The scope optics are clear. One will look a
long time to find a higher quality R. G. Owen rifle!
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
Director
Frank Capra
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