Albin Obiltschnig Engraving for Sale

A) Winchester Model 71 Lever Action Rifle

Serial Number:

Class:

Curio & Relic Long Gun

Description:

This is one of a pair of cased and Master Engraved Winchester Model 71 Lever Action rifles in 348 Winchester. These two rifles were personally engraved by the Austrian born and trained master engraver Albin Obiltschnig. He was born in lower Germany or Austria in 1894 and apprenticed at the K.u.K. Fachschule school for gunsmithing where he was recognized for his superior artistic talents which led to him being sent to the school of engraving. He graduated in 1911 with the first prize from the "Minister of Culture for Best Engraving" which led to a life-long career in gun engraving. He specialized in deep relief engraving of game hunting and outdoor scenes. After serving as a German soldier in WWI, he served as a teacher at the world famous school of engraving in Ferlach, Austria, until 1933. He eventually emigrated to the United States to apply his trade, wherein he was commissioned for numerous projects to engrave game or hunting scenes on fine weapons for diplomats, captains of industry and wealthy industrialists. He continued to perform in the US until his death in April 1975. The first rifle was produced in 1954, and the overall level, depth and detail of the engraving is some of the best we have seen to date. The entire rifle action exhibits 95-98% full coverage (only missing on the lower tang under the loading lever) of a deep relief hunting scene with gold wire inlay scroll engraving on all the edges and high spots. The side panels themselves depict a beautifully engraved and detailed timber scene as the background with three large (and also highly detailed) high relief gold wolf inlays running through the timber. The level of detail and depth of the scene is so striking that you can actually see the bark on the trees, the ground cover in the back and foreground of the scene, low hanging branches with leaves and the fur and facial features of the wolves themselves. The reverse side of the receiver is also as deep and detailed and depicts two ducks in a flying scene and a single gold lynx poised on the side of a tree. Again the background, foreground and the actual gold inlays are detailed enough to see the branches on the trees, ground cover, sky scenes and the fur on the lynx. Directly below the loading gate it is signed "ALB. OBILTSCHNIG, FERLACH AUSTRIA". The top of the tang also has a smaller single gold inlay depicting the head of a growling leopard. As noted, all remaining surfaces (except those under the lever and the hammer) have a full English scroll style engraving which almost changes into a floral pattern in some areas. All edges and borders have engraved coverage with motifs similar to a Helfricht style with a fully engraved bolt with gold borders and gold extractor. Even the sides and edges of the lower tang and the loading gate have received embellishments with gold wire borders. The pistol grip cap is also deep relief engraved with German Oak leaves around the edges with a standing deer in the center with gold wire inlay border. The buttplate also has a deep relief background scene with big horn sheep in the center of the trap. A similar treatment was also performed on the forend cap which shows engraved coverage with gold wire inlay border. Even both sides of the screws on the action have engraving embellishments. The stock and forend are both made of a AAA, fancy English walnut with very fine cut checkering on the side of the pistol grip and the forend.

Rating Definition:

Both are as new with 99% of the blued surfaces and 99% of the wood finish with just a few very minor handling marks on the lower stock directly behind the pistol grip. An unbelievable "one of a kind" pair of beautiful Master Engraved Winchester Model 71 rifles.

B) Winchester Model 71 Lever Action Rifle

Serial Number:

Class:

Curio & Relic Long Gun

Description:

This is the second rifle of the pair and as noted was also engraved and signed "Obiltschnig". This rifle is also a Winchester Model 71 and was produced in late 1954 and is covered on 98% of all the metal surfaces with some form of engraving or gold inlay except on the lower tang under the cocking lever and the barrel. The panel on the left side of the receiver depicts a deep relief of a heavily wooded game scene of two grizzly bears one on the left and one on the right, fighting over a large downed bull elk in the center. This rifle is like the first, in that it has the same depth, detail and clarity of the deep relief game scene, which is just outstanding. The wooded scene shows extremely fine detail as in the first, and you can actually see trees clear at the rear of the scene, as well as in the foreground, the bark on the trees, rocks and boulders in the background, low hanging branches, ground cover, foliage and leaves in the back and foreground of the scene. The animals also exhibit the same detail in the facial features, fur and muscle shape and outlines are clearly visible. The right side of the receiver panel also has the same depth and detail as the others only it depicts a hunting dog with a mountain lion up a tree and is signed in the lower left corner "OBILTSCHNIG". The grip cap and buttplate are also both adorned with deep relief engraving that is patterned after the receiver panels, which depict a large horned Asian sheep and a large horned mountain goat, respectively. The forend cap is also engraved with a fine "vine and leaf" pattern with gold line inlay borders. All other surfaces of the action other than those engraved have also have a "vine and leaf" style scroll engraving with fine scribed or matted background with all the borders having a fine gold line inlay ending with scrolls in the corners. The stock and forend are like the first rifle in that is fitted with a extra fancy English walnut with a very fine checkering pattern on both side of the pistol grip and forearm. Both rifles are fitted in a custom Huey serial number 99 "full size oak" two gun rifle case with burgundy colored leather covering, and green felt interior with brass hardware. The set is complete with a pair of fine "English" made (marked on the bottoms) nickel oil bottles one round and one square. Documentation includes pages from the Gun Digest and January 1974 American Rifleman magazine that features a short biography on the late Albin Obiltschnig, depicting some of the other fine rifles and shotguns that he engraved. The rifles were stocked by Hal Hartley (deceased), who was rated one of the country's finest stock makers. Checkering is extra fine (over 30 lines per inch) which is a costly option. A once in a lifetime chance to obtain a pair of Winchester rifles engraved by one of the world's greatest engravers.

Rating Definition:

Extremely fine as master engraved, gold inlaid and finished by a master craftsman. Displaying only minimal handling marks overall. The wood shows a few small handling marks, fine checkering and highly attractive figure. Mechanically excellent.

Albin Obiltschnig Engraving for Sale

Source: https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/68/510/magnificent-master-engraved-cased-matched-pair-of-albin-obiltsch

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