Extraordinary custom .375 H&H Magnum by Jerry Fisher, Eric Gold and Dave Talley. Based on a single square bridge magnum Mauser action acquired in 1982 and crafted over the next seven years, serial 91279 has a 23-inch barrel (tapers to .775-inch at the muzzle, island base with blade front sight, banded sling swivel stud, quarter rib with regulated windage-adjustable folding express leafs engraved “100” and “200”). Features include a polished rust blue finish with French gray highlights, jeweled bolt body and follower, recontoured straight bolt handle with checkered knob (five bordered panels), three-position safety, custom bottom metal (drop box, inside-the-bow release) and a tuned custom trigger with gently textured face. Dave Talley completed the metalwork in masterful fashion. STOCK: Drawn from an outstanding walnut blank acquired from Nubs Fashingbauer, Jerry Fisher shaped and finished what amounts to the ideal stock for a true dangerous game rifle. Appointments include an ebony forend tip with petite widow’s peak, 26 lines-per-inch checkering framed by partially Mullered borders, double crossbolts, scalloped thumb cut, pedestalled bolt release, scalloped pancake cheek rest with shadow line, steel butt plate with widow’s peak, steel grip cap with trap door, unadorned initial plate and a pedestalled sling swivel stud. Following completion, Steve Heilmann remounted the quarter rib to correct a solder issue. Recently, Dennis Smith (The Stock Doctor) addressed and flawlessly disappeared a stock crack that occurred during shipping. ENGRAVING: Eric Gold created two outstanding game scenes – a lion pair in gold relief (floor plate) and a Cape buffalo (butt plate) – each accented by a French gray background, bordered by intricate gold wire and further bracketed with fine scroll. The supporting themes continue over the action, rib, guard and trap, then reappear on the front sight base, band, toe line stud and timed screws. The caliber marking also appears in gold. ENGRAVING AWARDS: This rifle was awarded the Engravers Choice Award of Merit as well as the Best Metal on Metal Inlay Award at the 2003 ACGG/FEGA Custom Gun Show. PROVENANCE: A detail of the Cape buffalo appears on the dust jacket of “American Engravers – The 21st Century by C. Roger Bleile while the design in composite form occupies the entirity of page 173. It also appears on the cover and occupies several pages of a book privately published by the consignor (copy included). Finally, a detailed correspondance file detailing all aspects of concept and creation is present. CAPACITY: Five rounds (four plus one). Single rounds can be dropped in with the extractor “snapping over”. Feeding, extraction and ejection are proper. The follower spring is very strong. DIMENSIONS: Weight is 9.2 pounds and the length-of-pull is 14.5 inches. CONDITION: Consigned by the original owner who commissioned the build, the rifle has never been fired outside of testing and regulation. The bore is strong and bright. Finishes are at least 99 percent with only trace suggestions of handling. The price is firm and layaway is available. $22,500 plus shipping.