ITEM # 36
serial #96568, 32-40, 32" octagon Stevens-Pope No. 4 weight barrel with a bright excellent bore. The barrel bears no number however the false muzzle is serial numbered 542. This rifle exhibits lovely period shooter modifications including large Pope style finger groove lever, Pope tang sight, the barrel is machined for Pope clamp mounts and the right side of action is fitted with an interesting adjustable finger rest. The barrel retains 95% original blue finish overall. The action also retains about 95% original blue finish. The lever shows a brazed repair and an original Winchester "tuning fork" palm rest is present. The forend appears to be a Stevens product, likely added at time of barreling. The Helm pattern Schuetzen buttstock is beautifully figured and matches the forend nicely in color, grain and finish. The buttstock and forend retain about 90 to 95% original finish with strong checkering. Factory records list the rifle as the following: 32-40, half octagon 34" No. 4 weight barrel, Schuetzen set trigger, checkered stock with pistol grip, windgauge front sight, Schuetzen cheekpiece, oil finish, Helm plate, spur lever, no rear seat, palm rest as near frame as possible, barrel for patched ball and barrel shipped separate from stock on 3-12-04. While the buttstock is the proper style and configuration, its assembly number does not match the lower tang. Rifle is currently sighted with a globe front and adjustable Pope tang peep sight in addition to a Lyman Super Targetspot 10 power scope mounted on blocks. Rifle is accompanied by its original false muzzle and piston bullet starter. This rifle is thought to be, by some collectors, the rifle of Alf Rieckhoff a quite successful Schuetzen shooter active in the Midwest around the turn of the century. The rifle is purported to have been purchased in Illinois or Wisconsin, the general area where Rieckhoff lived and was active. At least several photographs exist of Rieckhoff holding a high wall Schuetzen rifle which has a striking resemblance to this gun. It is interesting to note that Rieckhoff was also a trick shooter whose signature trick was to shoot a 3 1/2 inch ball resting on his hat by firing one rifle over his shoulder aiming with a mirror at a small target behind him which would discharge a second rifle which would break the ball. It should be noted that Ray Day kept a copy of the May-June 1995 American Single Shot Rifle News with this rifle, that edition featured photographs and a brief story on Rieckhoff. Further research could prove most fruitful. A really neat and handsome Stevens-Pope High Wall target rifle. (1915-20) {C&R} [Ray Day Collection] (10,000/15,000) SOLD FOR $12650.00 |
|||||||
 |
