URGENT SALE Gatti Pre 64 458

Description:

MUST BE SOLD !
BEST OFFER OVER $5000 before Xmas will buy, due to personal reasons.
I have a colourful and active history with bespoke and custom guns over 35 years, incl many stocks for Brit double rifles (9 )and shotguns (5), in addition work done on falling block (3) and bolt rifles (5). That includes work by Geoff Slee, Ross Waghorn, Gabe Gatti, Bill Swan, Allan Carr and Russell Howard. So, feel I' well qualified to state that, this rifle exhibits the HIGHEST LEVEL OF STOCK MAKERS CRAFT.
Sadly, very sadly, there is nobody now in Oz or Nz who can do this level of wood to metal fit. And after all, thats what separates the best from the rest, Finesse, Fitment, Finery and Finish, as it is with watches, cars jewellery and all hand made products.

You wont see better at any price, anywhere, and now its a ridiculous price.

Background:
This rifle is not new, it was displayed at the Brisbane Gun Show in 1989/90
Why it was never completed I dont know, but I saw advertised in Qld about 8 years ago in a pretty sad state, and decided to rescue and restore it to its former beauty. I invested many many thousands in that process, and have not been rewarded for my time money or efforts. Especially sad is that no one current active stocker nor so-called retired experienced stockers will finish it for me. Maybe they see what perfection is and it scares them. But it didnt stop one loon from making 3-4 passes down the barrel channel with 60 grit paper and scratching the carbon blacked inletting to the octogons in an act of sheer thoughtlessness,after being asked if he was interested in fitting the new, larger round barrel.
"Yeah maaate, I can get rid of that..." fmd.

Soooo...lets start:

EXTREMELY FINE Wood to metal fit, and stock furniture fit.
Feat incl: widows peak to recoil pad, widows peak to Ebony forend cap, double recoil bolts capped with ebony, double edge to cheek piece outer line, trap grip cap from Leonard Brownell mid 80's.,

Blank is exceptional with whisky/orange background colours in the butt, and swirling dark mineral lines. Structurally stable and sound..
Half dried spray of meth/water mix in first two pics.
Barrel channel and other inletting in Tru-Oil.
NO grey-mauve or blurred lines from todays steamed rubbish!

Classic big game styling, open grip with meaty forend..
LOP is 14", set 'off' for right handed shooter.

METAL:
Wholly handmade bottom metal which closes like a pocket watch, handmade sliding bolt release block, reshaped tang, (requires final stone), hand made bolt handle, (yes) finely cheq´d 3 panel bolt knob,
All original parts on this rifle are machined or filed (pre CNC machining).
All metal in the white 90% ready for rust blue.

BARREL:
23" Octagonal feat; integral foresight ramp and full length integral rib!
Amazing machining skills, all filed and hand stoned to perfection with unmarked flats and straight sharp edges to the octagons.
Fitted with express sights, barrel mounted recoil lug, and sling swivel..
Inlet into the top line of the barrel is a band of solid 18ct gold ($600 alone) hand engraved in Winchester logo style is 'Winchester 458'. Comes with a new ($1750) unfired fully ready to install round barrel which has been threaded, chambered headspaced, crowned,hand lapped with superbly made barrel r/lug.. The octagonal barrel does shoot to the left over the open sights, so if you are only going to use open sights then you'll need the new round barrel, which has a bigger barrel lug, or fit a peep, ( better in most situations anyway) which is the logical thing to do.
However with the scope on, the octagonal shot cloverleafs at 75m with stiff load (400gr Woodleighs) at Gladstone SSAA

WEIGHT:
Right around 10lbs

REPLACEMENT COST:
Well over $10,000 to the current level of finish....well over!

Please ring me to discuss this spectacular rifle, really a blank canvas ................ready for you choice of finish engraving and chequer.

Fly to Gold Coast airport, I'll pick you up and take you to my little gunroom for an all-important 'in the hands' inspection.
THIS PRICE TILL XMAS ONLY.