1914

Royal Pair of Exquisite Custom Built and Engraved, Gold Inlaid Winchester Pre 64 Model 70 Bolt Actio

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:22,500.00 USD Estimated At:45,000.00 - 90,000.00 USD
Royal Pair of Exquisite Custom Built and Engraved, Gold Inlaid Winchester Pre 64 Model 70 Bolt Actio
A) Manufactured in 1949 and subsequently custom built by Al Biesen of Spokane, Wa., and exquisitely hand engraved and gold inlaid by Master Engraver T.L. Wallace for his Imperial Highness Abdorreaz Pahlavi of Iran. Both men are deceased now, but were the best in the world at their craft when they worked on rifles. These rifles were made exactly to the expert specifications of his Highness, and he spared no expense when having these two hunting rifles built. This particular rifle is chambered in the 300 Win Magnum caliber and features a custom ported barrel made without sights and with a sling swivel stud on the bottom. The top of the barrel is marked "AL BIESEN GUNMAKER SPOKANE WN" and the left rear is marked "300 WIN. MAGNUM". The left side of the receiver is marked "WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-". The breech end of the barrel has a 3 1/2" wedge of floral scroll engraving with a punch dot background. The receiver, floor plate, trigger guard and grip cap are engraved with the same patterns. There is a small wedge of scroll engraving on the bolt handle and a rosette on the knob. The floor plate and hardware have a gold inlaid wire border with a gold inlaid moose in the center of the floor plate with a gold inlaid wire border around it. The trigger guard has a gold inlay wire border and gold inlaid "AP" in a gold inlaid oval on the bottom. The grip cap has a gold inlaid wire border with gold inlaid Royal Seal of the Pahlavi Family. Control round feed bolt actions with jeweled bolt, extractor, follower and top of the receiver on the right side. The rifles are mounted with exhibition quality, Fluer di Lis checkered French walnut stock with ebony forend, raised shadow line cheek piece, sling swivel stud and Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad. Complete with a Leupold 2x7 Vari-X II scope with engraved rings and bases, and see through rubber lens caps. Prince Abdorreaz was arguably the greatest worldwide hunter and wildlife conservationist. As a hunter his peers could only include the likes of James (Jay) Mellon, Herb Klein, Elgin Gates, Jack O'Connor and C.J. McElroy. He was instrumental in supporting one of the worlds greatest conservation organizations in Europe, the C.I.C., was the founder and benefactor of the International foundation for the Conservation of Wildlife and was instrumental in setting up game reserves and implementing game laws in his native Iran, where he established more than 20 million acres of reserves and parks. Through his foundation, funding was provided for research, advising governments, training students, reintroducing wildlife, combating poaching, and protecting wildlife around the world. The Prince was the recipient of the Safari Club International's Hunting Hall of Fame in 1984, International Hunting award in 1988 and was the 7th winner of the Weatherby Big Game Award in 1962. He had taken over 260 varieties of big game animals and more than 400 record class trophies. Despite their exquisite features, the prince used these rifles in many a hunt, not left in a cabinet. The Prince was more at home in the mountains and plains than he was in a palace. He was one of the greatest marksmen of the 20th Century. He passed away in May of 2004. His hunting exploits are detailed in the Prince's book "Royal Quest, The Hunting Saga of H.I.H. Prince Abdorreza Pahlavi of Iran.
BBL: 24 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 300 Win magnum
Finish: blue/gold inlaid
Grips:
Serial Number: 161129


B) As A, except manufactured in 1950, has 22" non-ported 270 Winchester chambered barrel, gold inlaid ram on the floor plate and equipped with a Zeiss 3-9x19 Diavari-C scope.
BBL: 22 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 270 Win
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 200419


A) Excellent as custom built and engraved with virtually all of the blue finish remaining. All of the gold inlay remains and is bright. The stock is excellent with only a few very minor dings and dents, and sharp checkering. The scope is excellent with all of the original finish and clear optics. Crisp engraving. The action is excellent.

B) Excellent as custom built and engraved with 99% blue finish remaining. There is some wear around the muzzle which shows a smooth gray. Overall only light handling marks. The stock is excellent with only a few minor dings and dents. The scope is as new. Mechanically excellent. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own two custom built and master engraved Winchester Pre -64 Model 70 rifles owned by one of the worlds greatest hunters and conservationist, his Imperial Highness Prince Abdorreza Pahlavi of Iran.