Product Details
BEING AUCTIONED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GUNMAKERS CHARITABLE TRUST
W. J. JEFFERY & CO.
A TALLETT-ENGRAVED .275 (RIGBY) BOLT-MAGAZINE SPORTING RIFLE, serial no. 41275,
22 1/2in. unsighted nitro barrel (threaded for a moderator, with flush fitting thread cap) engraved in gothic script 'W. J. JEFFERY & CO. LONDON. ENGLAND', the receiver (with thumb cutout) mounted with a Zeiss Conquest DL 2-8x42 telescopic sight, the rings engraved 'W.J. JEFFERY. LONDON.' and 'CALIBRE .275', the receiver ring engraved with the calibre designation, three position safety with gold arrow detail, florally-engraved recoil blocks, floorplate with military style release and gold-inlaid with the calibre designation, the triggerguard gold-inlaid with the serial number, highly-figured pistolgrip stock with cheekpiece, pistolgrip-cap, sling swivels (with unused leather sling), 14 1/2in. pull including 1in. rubber recoil pad, the stock inset with a gold oval escutcheon bearing the arms of The Worshipful Company of Gunmakers
Provenance: The makers have kindly confirmed that the barrel is by Border Barrels and the stock is Turkish walnut, the metal and woodwork was finished by Tom Hickman and the rifle was engraved by Dave Tallett (at a reduced rate in view of the Trust involvement).
The also inform us that the rifle is currently zeroed with the Rigby 140 Grain HV bullet, but will accept any 7x57 Mauser ammo, from 120 to 173 Grain.
Literature: A NOTE FROM THE MASTER OF THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF GUNMAKERS:
The Gunmakers Company Charitable Trust assists in training the future generation of skilled gunmakers. Since 2004, its bursaries have helped defray the cost of training apprentices at a variety of mostly small gunmakers. Appropriately, one of the gunmakers trained with its assistance, Tom Hickman, was responsible for the beautiful finish of both metal and woodwork of the Jeffery rifle now being auctioned in aid of the Trust.
The British sporting-gun industry combines traditional crafts and new technologies. It requires intricate wood work for hand-finished gun stocks, fine engraving for the action, and high precision hand-work to fit actions and to regulate barrels. Alongside these cherished craft skills is the increasing use in gunmaking of high-tech computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-numerical control (CNC) machines. These create the basic shape of gun parts to high precision, and so allow traditionally trained craftsmen to focus their art where it provides the most value - not just removing surplus metal.
Gunmaking craft skills are best taught at the bench; indeed there is little opportunity to get them elsewhere. But providing this training is a financial burden for the mostly small firms making up the gunmaking trade - particularly when they are also trying to bring in the high-tech skills they need to remain competitive. This is where the Gunmakers bursaries help. Apprentices trained with its support now work at firms across the trade.
As a small charity, the Trust is dependent on a steady flow of donations to keep our bursaries flowing. It now supports five apprentices, and hopes to continue at that level. So the Trust is grateful both to J. Roberts & Son Gunmakers (who were licensed by W. J. Jeffery & Co. to manufacture the rifle) for donating this fine rifle and to Holt's for auctioning it on our behalf. All proceeds really do go to a good cause. Please bid generously.
John Browning, Master of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers
Other Notes: Please note that no vendors commission or buyer's premium will be applied to this Lot - all proceeds will be donated directly to the Gunmakers Charitable Trust
Please click HERE to view Terms & Conditions.
Estimate £3,000-5,000
S1