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LOT 1494
Stunning, Elmer Keith’s Own F. E. Hendricks Signed Multi-Colored Gold Inlaid Game Scene Engraved
Champlin-Haskins Keith Grade Bolt Action Rifle in .375 H&H Magnum with Scope - Serial no. 27,
375 H&H Magnum cal., 25 inch octagon bbl., blue/gold finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in the 1960s and
1970s, these “Keith Grade” rifles from Champlin-Haskins have a number of features that their legendary
namesake, Elmer Keith, who was a consultant in the design, desired on his “perfect elk rifle”, with this
particular example having the distinction of actually being Keith’s personal rifle. The rifle was built with a
blued steel octagonal barrel featuring a an integral ramp front sight with pop-up blade and light engraving,
a three folding leaf rear express sight on the integral quarter rib with diamond and punch engraving, and an
integral front sling eye. The barrel is marked “Elmer Keith” in fine gold inlay on the top flat ahead of the rib,
gold inlaid arcading at the breech, and “375 H&H MAGNUM” and “Champlin + Haskins Inc., Enid, Oklahoma”
on the left and right of the rib respectively. The barrel is fitted to the blued action with extended top tang,
60 degree bolt lift, and displaying gold inlaid scroll surrounding “Champlin + Haskins” on the left and four
relief gold inlaid game scenes depicting a reposed lion on the left rear, a big horn ram on the front left, a
polar bear on the right rear, and a leopard on the front right along with “Keith/Grade/.27.” in gold. The one-
piece bottom metal features an extended checkered lower tang and more gold inlaid scroll engraving and
a pair of relief gold inlaid buffalo on the floorplate, giving their classic look as if you owed them money, as
well as a bighorn ram on the square back trigger guard with inside-the-bow release. All of the game scenes
are surrounded by fine gold inlaid borders and are shown in their native backgrounds. The left side of the
trigger guard is signed “ENGRAVING/F.E.HENDRICKS/SA. TEX”. The rifle is fitted in a gorgeously well-figured
stock by Maurice Ottmar with lovely multi-point borderless wrap checkering, raised widow’s peak at the
forend tip, a blued and gold inlaid trapdoor grip cap with a roaring grizzly bear, a raised cheekpiece of
Keith’s design, rear sling swivel, and a blued Al Biesen trapdoor buttplate with checkering and a gold “K” on
the door. Includes a Leupold M8-3x scope and a leather sling.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 99% original blue and gold finishes with minor handling evidence. The
floorplate and action turning a plum hue. There are a few dings on the left side; otherwise, the stock is
excellent with defined lines and sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The scope optics are clear. This is
an outstanding opportunity to own a rifle custom built for the legendary Elmer Keith!
Provenance: The Elmer Kieth Collection; The Frank Brownell Collection.
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000
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