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Extremely Rare Engraved Ludwig Brovnik Side by Side Double Rifle in Desirable 458 Win Mag

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:14,000.00 - 22,500.00 USD
Extremely Rare Engraved Ludwig Brovnik Side by Side Double Rifle in Desirable 458 Win Mag
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Estimate: $14000 - 22500
Manufacturer: Borovnik Model: Side by Side
This beautiful double rifle was made by Ludwig Brovnik of Ferlach, Austria in 1968 and belonged to the biggest game hunter in the world, Sam Pancotto. This is one of only two of these rifles in the United States. This rifle is of "Best Gun" quality and execution, and features 24 1/8 inch barrels with a blade front sight on a raised rib and a fixed and folding leaf rear sight on a quarter rib. This rifle is a double 458 Win Mag, "working double" and is regulated for 60 meters. Behind the rear sight is a panel with three drilled and tapped holes and the marking "first holeLHIG'S MIL, second holeYALE PA." and the top breech end of the left barrel is marked "MADE IN AUSTRIA". Both partial ribs are very nicely filed (matted). The barrels are made of Bohler Special G 55 steel, a high chrome content steel of the very highest strength and quality. This steel is only used on the finest rifles and shotguns. The barrel lockup is a double lug type with a double Kersten style cross bolt and there are ejectors. The scalloped action is French gray and features beautiful floral scroll engraving with a cape buffalo in a jungle scene on the trigger guard plate in a decorative panel. The engraving extends to the break lever, forearm hardware and the trigger guard which also has a round panel with a cabin and signed "Flaig's". Double triggers, disc set strikers, tang mounted manual safety and mounted with a very nicely figured skip-line checkered Bastogne walnut forearm and pistol grip stock The wooded has a hand rubbed oil finish, has a horn grip cap and a solid London Guns recoil pad. There have been few side by side rifles ever made and there are a limited number of makers world wide who can make, or are allowed by their government to make a side by side rifle in large bore. Accompanying this rifle is a cardboard binder titled "Sam and Rosemary Pancotto" with an end page that reads "And Then. . ./There were None." "Nothing Lasts forever!" which contains large photographs of Sam Pancotto's office and game rooms which are truly unbelievable. The number of stuffed and mounted animals is mind boggling. There is also a small spiral binder entitled "Sam and Rose Pancotto/2006" with photographs of other game rooms. There are two "Saga" magazines, April 1969 and October 1970 with an article about Sam Pancotto featured in them. The rifle is complete with a canvas covered hard takedown case with leather corner protectors, straps and handle, with green felt lining.
BBL: 24 1/8 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 458 Win Mag
Finish: blue/french grey
Grips:
Serial Number: 402980
Condition:
Very good. The barrels retain 90% original blue finish with a smooth plum patina on the balance. The trigger guard retains 98% original blue finish. The receiver retains almost all of the original French grey finish. The wood is excellent. There are two natural flaws on the right side of the stock, a small splinter absent from the upper right rear of the forearm and overall only light handling marks and very crisp checkering. The engraving remains crisp. Mechanically excellent. Virtually all side by side "stopping guns" are handmade and show the highest standards and embellishments of the gunsmiths art, and this rifle is no different.