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400 NIEDNER DANGEROUS GAME BOLT ACTION RIFLE WITH

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
400 NIEDNER DANGEROUS GAME BOLT ACTION RIFLE WITH

NIEDNER BARREL & GRIFFIN & HOWE STOCK. Cal. 400 Niedner. S# 12450 (Mauser), 658 (H&H), both on bottom of action, 658 on sidewall & bolt. The 400 Niedner was designed by Niedner Rifle Co., and was essentially the 35 Newton necked up. It is likely that ammunition could be fabricated today using 375 Ruger brass. The bullet used at the time was of 411 diameter, as used in the 405 Winchester. The 26" heavyweight sporter bbl. is fitted w/ sleeved on front ramp holding sm. white bead & sight protector. Left side rear bbl. is stamped ".400 NIEDNER" & w/ "NP" in an oval (Niedner proof). Bottom of bbl. is stamped w/ Niedner's bbl. number "1740" (ca. 1940), one of the last made by this company (Michael Petrov in his research has found the highest recorded number to be 1744). Standard length model 98 Mauser auction was most likely sourced from a circa 1923 production Holland & Holland takedown bolt rifle #658. This number is on the root of the bolt, which is bent & cranked in H&H fashion as used at that time. Action has had a Lyman 57 reciever sight installed & trigger has been modified to an adj. single stage type with ingenious attached mechanism that appears to be of possible G&H or Niedner make. Bottom metal is of steel w/ slightly dropped box & has hinged straddle floorplate w/ button release in bow. It is unnumbered, but is marked "MADE IN ENGLAND" on left side of box. Front screw hole & screw are of H&H takedown type w/ large head screw slotted to take a coin. Pistol grip stock of nicely fiddle figured & lightly streaked European walnut measures 14 1/4" over old leather faced Silver type pad. Stock exhibits early 50s Griffin & Howe styling w/ Monte Carlo comb, deep swept shadowline cheekpiece, horn forend tip, steel gripcap & usual very well cut point pattern checkering at grip & around forend. A vacant gold oval & sling eye are on toeline. CONDITION: very fine as refinished, metal parts retaining nearly all of a later immersion reblue, sharp edges & lettering somewhat washed. Stock retains most of an older oil refinish. Checkering recut. Bbl. channel has been opened & a new piece of wood let in & fit to this bbl. Bore is bright, sharp & shiny. Mechanically fine. PROVENANCE: collection of Michael Petrov, sold Amoskaeg Auction #104, Lot #120. (22-3316/MGM). CURIO. $4,000-6,000.