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LOT 3047
Outstanding, Exhibition Quality, Master Rudolph Kornbrath Signed and Deep Relief Game Scene Engraved John Oberlies Custom Winchester Model 1885 Single Shot Squirrel Rifle - Serial no. 139700, 22 LR cal., 28 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. It is not often that a piece of firearms high art is built that transcends generations in the way that this rifle does. Many believe this rifle to be the finest work of one of the best engravers to have ever picked up a graver, an example of a true masterpiece by Rudolph Kornbrath. The work is so fine, that for years after its completion, Kornbrath used it as an advertising piece in photographs for prospective customs. It is clear that he was proud of the piece, and just glance will make it obvious why, it truly is the bar by which other engravers wish to be measured. The blued steel part octagon barrel features a ramped blade front sight, no rear sight, “J. OBERLIES/DAYTON, O.” and “22 - L.R.” on the upper left flat, and multiple bands of engraving at the breech. John Oberlies of Dayton, Ohio was a renowned rifle maker in his day, he custom built this squirrel rifle in tandem with Kornbrath carrying out the embellishment. The engraved tang mounted Vernier rear sight is also signed by Oberlies and is marked with ranges appearing to go from 0-125 yards. The casehardened Winchester 1885 action is the heart of the rifle and where we see Korbrath’s outstanding artist talent on full display. The action is absolutely covered from stem to stern in beautifully executed foliate scroll engraving which extends to the action lever and both tangs, broken up only by the incredible game scenes. The left hand side of the action has a big horn ram noticing a “trespassing viewer”, us, and is stopping on alert mid-stride as he descends down a cliff face, a scene only a true master could pull of and keep the natural appearance present here. The right side has a mountain goat, also noticing us as the “trespassing viewer”, bleating his alert to those around him as he turns to retreat up the mountain. Both of these scenes are surrounded raised oak leaf borders and cut in excruciating detail in raised relief giving the piece the feeling one could fall into it and find themselves beside a ram in the rockies! The rifle is signed on the underside of the action “ENGRAVING/BY/ KORNBRATH-HFD-CT”, a prominent place, understandable on a piece of this exceptional workmanship.
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