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  • Auction Catalog #53
  • Lot #1617
Lot #1616
Lot #1618

Lot 1617: Ken Owen Double Rifle 4

Extraordinary Exhibition Quality, Engraved, Massive "Owen-Rewa" 4-Bore "Elephant" Double Rifle

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: September 10, 2011

Lot 1617: Ken Owen Double Rifle 4

Extraordinary Exhibition Quality, Engraved, Massive "Owen-Rewa" 4-Bore "Elephant" Double Rifle

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: September 10, 2011

Estimated Price: $85,000 - $140,000

Extraordinary Exhibition Quality, Engraved, Massive "Owen-Rewa" 4-Bore "Elephant" Double Rifle

Manufacturer: Ken Owen
Model: Double Rifle
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 4
Barrel: 22-1/2 inch
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grip:
Stock: deluxe walnut
Item Views: 10291
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 102
Class: Modern Long Gun
Description:

This is just about the largest and most powerful double rifle made any where in the world. Skillfully hand crafted by master gunsmith Ken Owen of Memphis Tennessee in the early 1990's, this is an exceptional and truly rare 4 bore double rifle. This rifle is modeled after a rifle made for the Maharajah of Rewa, India who was an extremely wealthy avid sportsman in the early 20th century. Holland & Holland made the only known 4-bore cordite double rifle for the Maharajah in the 1920s. Mr. Owen made only six of these enormous double rifles and spent approximately "1000 hours" crafting each gun, see the spring issue of the Double Gun Journal pg. 53-57 for extensive information on this and other Ken Owen 4-Bore rifles. Using 100 year old investment casting technique this rifle is entirely hand made. Steel barrels, with bore diameters in the true 4-bore range of 1.052". Large action with Greener crossbolt third fastener, and bushed firing pins. Double triggers. Four leaf express rear sights graduated to 150 yards with gold numerals. Fix post front sight with folding "night" sight. The right barrel is marked "2000 GR. BULLET 4 INCH CASE". The rib is marked M.K. OWEN MEMPHIS TENN.. The left barrel is marked "CTG. NO. 4 REWA". The serial number 1045 is marked on the lower tang. This rifle is engraved by Dennis McDonald and signed on the underside of the frame. The breech end of the barrels and top of the rib exhibit simple but fine, tight scroll engraving. The rifle features three exceptional Bulino panel scenes that almost come to life. The left side of the frame displays a lion and lioness resting in the shade on the plains. The right side of the frame depicts a large cape buffalo. The underside of receiver features one of the most outstanding, and detail rich engraved scenes this writer has ever seen, a large bull elephant walking through the middle of a watering hole. The casehardened frame displays wonderful, tight scroll and geometric patterns. The casehardened fences, top locking lever and forearm knuckle are deep relief chisel engraved. The forearm tip, trigger guard, and casehardened buttcap are all engraved. The tang safety is hand crafted and engraved to resemble a high end buttplate, and "safety" is highlighted in gold. The rifle is finished with triple-X-fancy, hand checkered English walnut with a raised cheekpiece. Accompanying this rifle are 35 original rounds of "Owen-Rewa 4-Bore Nitro Rifle Cartridges". Five of the shadow line cartridges were prototypes used in the development of this cartridge. 1)Cast Linotype lead bullet with large rifle primer. This was the original prototype cartridge that came with the gun. The consignor notes that concerns were raised over the primer in this cartridge so 5 grains of black powder were added. 2) Round nose 3/4 jacketed bullet. 3) Round nose 2/3 jacketed bullet. 4) Round 1/2 jacketed bullet. 5) Round nose full jacket bullet. Also included is one box of flat nose full jacket cartridges. One box of round nose full jacket cartridges. The remaining 20 cartridges are round nose full jacket cartridges. The cartridges are loaded with 115 grains of Blue Dot smokeless powder behind a 2000 grain bullet. Stock measurements are length of pull 14-1/2", drop at comb 1-3/8", and drop at heel 1-5/8".

Rating Definition:

Near mint with only the slightest shooting/handling marks. Made for especially large and dangerous game such as elephant, cape buffalo, and rhino. Much like the game this rifle was designed to hunt, beautiful and extremely powerful.



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