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LOT 3073
Exceptionally
Fine Scarce Factory Game Scene Engraved Marlin Ballard No. 6 1/2 Rigby
Off-Hand Mid-Range Single Shot Rifle with Scope - Serial no. 14930, 32
cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured
from 1880 to 1882, these Marlin-Ballard No. 6 1/2 Rigby rifles were one of the top of the line target rifles offered by the company before
the turn of the century. The receiver is decorated
with factory engraved scrollwork on a stippled
background, heart borders and game scenes in
circular panels. The game scene on the left side is
a buck, and the game scene on the right side is a
bear. The flats of the receiver ring have flourishes
of scroll and a band of hearts. The flats on the
breech of the matching numbered barrel are engraved with flourishes of scroll and an double ended arrow on top along with a banner marked “BALLARD”. The
left side of the receiver has the two-line Marlin address/Ballard patent marking,
which is partially covered by the rear scope mount. It is fitted with a scope block in the front sight
dovetail and an elevation adjustable scope mount on the left of the action. A Mogg scope is mounted in the scope rings. There is a mid-range peep sight mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a multi-point checkered forearm
with horn tip and a very finely figured, pistol grip stock with cheek piece and a Swiss style buttplate. There is a brass collection style tag attached to the trigger guard marked “0224”.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, the barrel retains 85% plus of the original blue finish with some scattered light spotting while the receiver retains more than 50% of the original case colors with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina and crisp engraving overall. The wood is excellent with a few scattered light handling marks, a couple minor insect holes in the horn tip, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The scope retains about half of the original blue finish
and the optics are slightly dark. Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 3074
Excellent Factory Engraved Stevens-Pope No. 54 Schuetzen Special Single Shot Rifle with Scope - Serial no. 1705, 22 cal., 30 inch heavy octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The No. 54 was manufactured
between 1897 and 1916 and was specifically designed for
precision target shooting. These Stevens-Pope No. 54 rifles were a top of the line target rifle in the 1890s and into the early 20th century. The heavy octagon barrel is marked with the two- line Stevens-Pope address. The front
of the action under the forearm is
marked “54” and “EX”, while the serial
number is on the lower tang. The
receiver has near full coverage factory
floral scroll engraving with a small blank inscription area on each side. The barrel is fitted
with two scope blocks and no provisions for other sights.
A Stevens scope numbered “475” is fitted in the scope rings. The
lever is of the typical No. 54 style with two walnut panels in the
grip area. It is mounted with a multi-point checkered, Schnabel tip forearm
with palm rest mount and attached palm rest along with a checkered straight grip,
“perch belly” stock with cheek piece and a Swiss style buttplate.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus of the original blue finish with the some very light edge wear and 98% plus of the vibrant original case colors with minimal wear and crisp
engraving. The wood is also excellent with some scattered light handling marks, a barely noticeable hairline crack visible in the left forward wrist, and crisp
checkering. Mechanically excellent. The scope optics are clear with a crisp cross-hair.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000 65