This very fine George Gibbs Farquarson Patent falling block rifle is from the collection of the late Jim Wilkinson of Prescott, Arizona. Wilkinson grew up spending his summers working the family Granite Dells Ranch in Arizona and returning to his native Illinois for school in the fall. Wilkinson attended the University of Illinois and began his career in his families Central Illinois lumberyards. In 1946 he permanently moved to Arizona to work his own ranch in Granite Dells, and establish the Rifle Ranch a gun store specializing in custom rifles, handloading, and shooting supplies. Wilkinson was an avid hunter with expeditions to Canada, and Alaska as well as more exciting destinations such as Africa, Afghanistan, India, and Nepal, all in the pursuit of mountain sheep. Wilkinson would become the 10th person in the world to achieve the "Super Slam" which is a collection of 16 different types of wild sheep found on four separate continents. Wilkinson passed away in 2001. Manufactured by the George Gibbs company of Bristol, England. The tapered medium weight barrel is not fitted with sights and has a mid barrel band with quick detach sling swivel, swivel style scope bases, and Leupold Westerner 8x scope with "Rifle Ranch" marked leather lens caps. The action, lever and tangs feature full coverage, fine English style scroll engraving, "GEORGE GIBBS" maker's mark, finely checkered trigger, and knurled toggle safety with gold inlaid "BOLTED" (safe) position. Checkered forearm with ebony forend cap and pistol grip buttstock with engraved blue steel grip cap, raised shadow-line cheek piece, sling swivel, and fully scroll engraved blue steel buttplate with bright finished trapdoor depicting a detailed marmot scene with tight scroll borders. The butt end of the stock under the plate is stamped "T. SHELHAMER/1264".

Exceptionally fine with 98% plus professionally refurbished blue finish, some light muzzle wear, slightly light engraving on the action, and some visible light pitting under the blue on the lever. The wood is very fine with crisp checkering, a few very small dings, and highly embellished buttplate with sharp detailed engraving.