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LOT 1483
Fantastic Factory Giacomo Badillini Signed, Engraved, and Gold
Inlaid Krieghoff Classic Dangerous Game Double Rifle in .500/416
Nitro Express with Zeiss Scope and Case - Serial no. 971078,
500/416 Nitro cal., 23 11/16 inch solid rib bbl., blue/coin/gold finish,
walnut stock. This fine double rifle comes from the collection of
the Legendary American General H. Norman Schwarzkopf. General
Schwarzkopf graduated West Point in 1956 and went on to serve in
Vietnam, where he was twice wounded in action, and continued his
service all the way to the top as the commander of the Coalition Forces
during the Gulf War in 1991. Built with blued steel barrels featuring a ramped
beaded blade front sight, a fixed rear sight on the raised rear quarter rib which also
hosts a set of quick detach scope swing mounts holding a Zeiss Varipoint VM 1.1-4x24
mm scope, 1998 dated German proof marks on the flats, chambers with extractor, and
front sling stud on the under rib. The barrels are fitted to the coin finished action with hidden
third fastener which displays expertly executed extensive floral scroll engraving surrounding “KRIEGHOFF/CLASSIC/GERMANY” inlaid in gold on the underside along with a waving
flag embroidered with four stars signifying the general’s rank, all of which is surrounded by gold inlaid line borders. The engraving extends to the toplever and trigger guard where it
surrounds the general’s “HNS” monogram. The engraving was performed by Italian Master Engraver Giacomo Badillini who has signed his work “Badillini” on the trigger plate to the right
of the trigger. The rifle features double triggers and Krieghoff’s Combi-Locking Device that cocks the hammers as the latch is pushed to the forward position and de-cocks the hammers
when moved to the rear position. The rifle is fitted with a lovely beautifully figured and multi-point checkered semi-Schnabel tip beavertail forend with engraved Deeley type release
along with a full pistol grip stock with left hand cheekpiece, rear sling stud, and a Decelerator recoil pad. Included is a letter from Dieter Krieghoff thanking the general for his order and
all that he had done for the country and the world. Also included with the rifle is a factory aluminum takedown case containing two empty pieces of brass, an extra set of scope rings,
and a pair of factory test targets and a letter signed by Cynthia Schwarzkopf, on Schwarzkopf Family letterhead, certifying this rifle by serial number as being the former property of her
father, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf. Length of pull 14 3/4 inches. Weight 12 lbs. 2 oz. (with scope).
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue, coin, and gold finishes with minor handling evidence, a few scratches and pressure marks in the wood, and sharp checkering on
the stock and forend. Mechanically excellent. The scope optics are sharp.
Provenance: The Collection of General H. Norman Schwarzkopf (Ret.).
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000 423