1336

*RARE BROWNING SPECIAL GRADE FUNKEN ENGRAVED BOLT ACTION RIFLE SN:L2 WITH CASE.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
*RARE BROWNING SPECIAL GRADE FUNKEN ENGRAVED BOLT ACTION RIFLE SN:L2 WITH CASE.
SN L2. Cal. 30-06. 22" Stepped medium contour round bbl mounted with adjustable express rear and matted ramp/ gold bead front sight, with protector, is marked "BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS MO & MONTREAL PQ" on left side under rear sight. Right side has SN and "B. CALIBER .30 ONLY", and "MADE IN BELGIUM". Coin finished action with bright polished bolt is engraved with Felix Funken's classic rendition of scrolled mythological griffins and acanthus in semi-relief, with dark stippled shading on receiver ring and bridge. This dramatic engraving is signed "F. Funken" on terminal flourish of scroll on left rear of action. Black anodized alloy bottom metal has similar engraving patterns, which has been gold filled. Stock of fiddle figured claro walnut measures 13-7/8" over Browning embossed horn buttplate and features large swept Monte Carlo right hand cheekpiece, contrasting holly grip cap and forend tip having inlaid black composition stars, sling eyes, engraved recoil bolt, and full relief carved oak leaves and acorns in the place of checkering at grip and forend. Drop at heel: approx 2-3/8". Drop at comb: approx 1-13/16". Weight: 7 lbs. 10 oz. LOP: 13-7/8". Full length, tan, vinyl Browning case has brass oval on lid marked "Vearl W. Brown His Rifle L-2". Interior is lined in beige faux fur. PROVENANCE: As told in a personal interview with Vearl W. Brown, he began as a Browning factory gunsmith at the "1706 Washington Ave address" on March 21,1961, mounting scopes on FN High Power rifles. Gun "L2" was discovered among shop inventory along with L1 and L3 in plain unmarked cardboard "import boxes". Brown purchased the gun in the early 1960s for $273 and later married a case to it bearing his name. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining essentially all its factory fine metal finish. Gloss varnish of stock has a few minor marks and light rubs. Carving on forend is somewhat darkened. Mechanically excellent, possibly unfired. Case is excellent. These early 1959 vintage L-prefix guns 1-12 were thought to be special promotional or sample guns for the 1961 production Medallion/Olympian grades. 4-48386 MGM94