The city of Ferlach, Austria has long been a hub of the European arms trade and home to some of the finest gunmakers in Europe. At the end of World War II there were 56 gunsmiths in Ferlach and by the time this gun was built in 1998, that number had fallen to somewhere around ten. Though the rifle does not bear a maker's mark, the rifle appears to have been built by the firm of Josef Just with his code "24" starting the serial number, and the work certainly is up to his extremely high standard seen on other guns by the firm. The rifle is built with a blued Bohler steel part octagon barrel with beaded blade front and fixed rear sights on the matted solid rib along with the engraved German claw mounts holding a Zeiss Diatal 6x42 scope. The coin finished sideplated action displays exceptionally fine deep cut floral and scroll engraving with deep relief gold inlaid game scenes as well as scrolling line borders in gold. The left side of the action shows a collapsing shot red stag and a hind running in a forested scene, the underside has a roe buck on alert in a field scene, and the right side shows a pair of running chamois. The scroll and gold lines flow onto the upper tang and toplever which shows a gold inlaid script "Z". The right lockplate bears the signature "Oblitschnig" for Austrian Master Engraver Hans Oblitschnig, son of another of Ferlach's master engravers Albin Oblitschnig. The rifle features gold double set triggers, a bushed firing pin, and a tang mounted manual safety switch with gold inlaid "S" mark. Well-figured forend with fish scale checkering with oak leaf carving at the edges, coin finished engraved and gold inlaid fittings, and a horn tip. The Bavarian style pistol grip stock with exceptional figure features a raised cheekpiece, coin finished engraved cartridge trap, and a Pachmayr Old English recoil pad. Length of pull 14 1/4 inches. Weight 7 lbs. 11 oz. with scope.

Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue, coin, and gold finishes with minor handling evidence, some areas showing a bit of dried grease, and sharp scaling on the stock and forend. The scope has sharp optics. Mechanically excellent. This is a chance to own a masterwork from one of the finest makers that Ferlach had to offer, and that can never be replicated!