American Custom Gunmakers’ Guild 2004 raffle rifle, “The Ultimate .22”. METAL: Refined by Joe Peitz to a level precluding any sort of comprehensive description, this incredible rifle is based on a shortened and much-modified Mauser 98 action with capped and levered double square bridges. Primary features include a handmade bolt with dual firing pins, sculpted octagon bolt handle and handmade shroud, cocking piece and bottom metal. The Krieger barrel blank was shortened to 19 inches, turned down to a petite profile and finished in a half-round/half-octagon contour with an integral quarter rib supporting one fixed and two folding leafs wearing gold sight alignment lines marked 50/75/100. The sliding two-position safety is mounted on the tang. The front sight ramp and forend cap are a single piece, and the forend sling stirrup is hand-contoured. Two handmade five-shot magazines are hidden, releasing only when the contoured floorplate is fully opened and a button depressed. METAL FINISH: Executed by Pete Mazur, a well-envisioned blending of rust blue, French gray and nitre blue accentuates the metal highlights while presenting the ideal foundation for embellishment. STOCK: Larry Amrine created the petite full stock from a blank of “French” walnut, its simple yet strong grain doubt selected so as not to compete with either the metalwork or engraving. A Fisher grip cap and Biesen butt plate with welded points have been perfectly mated, and the 22 lines-per-inch point pattern wrap-around checkering with a mullered border is flawlessly executed. Additional major appointments include a pancake cheekpiece. KNIFE: Jim Martin created a sleek-lined folder with a damascus blade that complements the rifle while providing the engraver with separate major component to continue the theme. ENGRAVING: Certainly one of the most elaborate yet engaging undertakings of recent times, Gil Rudolph executed a masterpiece of overlapping English scroll with raised 24-carat gold acorns, bordered gold lines and scroll. Highlights are the presentation of small game animal and varmint busts (coyote, Canada lynx, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel and rat) with their Latin names presented in a subordinating ribbon. Certainly full coverage, the engraving theme continues to the scope caps and turret, knife, tools, bottles and case lid. Makers’ names are engraved on the inside of the floorplate. DIMENSIONS: Length-of-pull is 13.4 inches. CASE: The Huey leather and oak case features reinforced corners and field cover. Each component is French-fitted into its own pocket within the red felt interior. Additional appointments include a key box and a two-piece brass rod (hidden below the rifle itself). INCLUSIONS: Leupold Compact 4x scope, inert 8mm Mauser and .22 LR cartridges and a .22 LR snap. Proceeds of this sale benefit the Boone and Crockett Club.