Griffin & Howe 7mm Mauser (7×57). Rifle number 2284 is special, a light sporter with spectacular gold relief engraving attributed to Joseph Fugger. The 21-inch barrel wears a banded front ramp and the commercial Mauser action has a jeweled bolt body, rail and follower. Additional features include a Lyman 48 receiver sight (aperture), checkered bolt knob and two-position side safety. The stock begins with an ebony forend tip and is dressed with wonderful wrap-around 26 lines-per-inch bordered checkering, cross bolt, steel grip cap, scalloped cheek piece with shadow line, blank oval on the toe line and a checkered steel butt plate with widow’s peak. ENGRAVING: While unsigned, the superb engraving is attributed to Joseph Fugger per the included Griffin & Howe history letter. Highlights include a gold elk bust on the floorplate and gold antelope bust on the guard, both in flawless relief. Each bust is surrounded by intricate, delicate scroll, the pattern also appearing on the front ramp, barrel shank, bolt handle and screws. DIMENSIONS: Weight is 7.2 pounds and length-of-pull is 13.8 inches. CONDITION: The bore is pristine. The polished rust blue stands at approximately 97 percent, with only minor indications of being afield that include slight spots of tarnish and a bit of thinning on the bolt knob. The heavily-figured stock is also approximately 97 percent, with a modest scattering of minor field impressions. The bolt release button operates properly, although with a bit of resistance. HISTORY: Per the Griffin & Howe Historian, it appears the rifle was built in 1959 (based on numbering sequence). It was returned to the market in 1962 via Abercrombie & Fitch and then sold two additional times by the firm thereafter. The history letter also states “The engraving on the rifle strongly suggests that the engraver was Joseph Fugger who was a G&H engraver at that time. Although unsigned, there is one extremely small detail the tis attributable to Mr. Fugger. This detail is the extension of the vertical stroke of the ampersand in the legend “Griffin & Howe” engraved on the barrel. This particular mark was described to this researcher by Joseph Bayer, a G&H engraver, now deceased, who trained under Joseph Fugger.” Included with the rifle is the original two-page history letter plus three pages of notes signed by the Historian. Also present are 24 additional photocopy pages of supporting documents such as ledger sheets and sale catalogs where the rifle is listed.