Once-in-a-lifetime – The Ultimate .22 Rifle

The ACGG #19 rifle represents a true tour de force of metalsmithing, stockmaking and engraving, hence its designation as The Ultimate .22. This rifle is the latest in a number of high quality rifles produced in .22 long rifle by various members of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild, both as raffle firearms and as individual commissions. An once-in-a-lifetime opportunity exists to own The Ultimate .22 when it is raffled at the next Firearms Engravers & Gunmakers Exhibition in Reno, Nevada in January 2004.

The metalwork produced by Joe Peitz of Fort Madison, IA is quite extensive. Starting with a Mauser ’98 action, Joe shortened it to an appropriate length for the 22 LR, making a completely new bolt, shroud and cocking piece in the process. The action features double square bridges, completely new bottom metal with hinged floorplate, a striking bolt knob with an octagonal shank, and an unusual side safety ensconced in its own pad of metal attached to the side of the rear tang. Completely new cartridge magazines had to be fabricated, two of which are included with the rifle. These magazines are released when the hinged floorplate reaches its maximum travel.

Starting with a large diameter Krieger barrel, Joe fashioned a half-round, half octagon tube complete with an integral quarter rib and express sights. As the rifle was intended to be finished “mannlicher style” a unique one-piece forend cap and front sight ramp was crafted and features a removable hood.

The finished metalwork was then sent to Larry Amrine of Ojai, California for stocking. Larry began with a blank of ‘true’ French Walnut from the inventory of the venerable Tessier Company. The perfectly proportioned full-length stock is oil finished and features a European-style cheekpiece and a 24 line-per-inch point checkering pattern with mullered borders. The traditional “mannlicher” type front sling swivel is an appropriate touch for a rifle of this style and the rear swivel has a European flair as well. The Biesen buttplate was highly modified for this job, being shortened to an appropriate length for the rifle and having extended top and bottom tangs added.

It would require a voluminous write-up to fully describe the extensive engraving contributed to the project by engraver Gil Rudolph of Tehachepi, CA. This is one of those jobs the more you examine it, the more you see. The basic scroll consists of an overlapping English style where one scroll intermingles with other scrolls. The rifle has both raised and flat 24 Karat gold lines and scroll work. There are three-dimensional gold acorns in various places, gold scrolls on the scope rings and fine gold inlays on the sling swivels. Gil even engraved the scope caps on the Leupold 22 scope which was graciously donated by Leupold & Stevens of Beaverton, OR. Close examination will even reveal a gargoyle or two peering from the engraving. Every screw on the rifle is fully engraved with the same pattern. Gil left very few (if any) areas of the metal untouched by the graver.

Five exquisite animals are engraved on various parts of the rifle. They represent small prairie creatures in keeping with the caliber of the rifle. Each one has its Latin name engraved beneath it on a banner. A Coyote, surrounded with scroll and gold borders, decorates the buttplate. One of the two clips features a Lynx while the other shows a Western Gray Squirrel. The grip cap has a White-footed Mouse preening its tail and the fifth animal is a Desert Cottontail on the floorplate. A final touch has all of the participants and particulars of the project engraved inside of the floorplate and surrounded by fine scroll.

A custom knife by Jim Martin of Oxnard, CA is included in the raffle package. It is a side lock folder engraved with a running Snowshoe Hare on the left side and a Raccoon visiting a mountain stream on the right.

The metal was masterfully finished by Pete Mazur of Grass Valley, CA, various areas being rust blued, French-greyed and niter blued after the application of Pete’s usual impeccable polishing.

The whole package is contained in one of Marvin Huey’s (Lawrence, KS) beautiful oak and leather fitted cases. Brass patch, lubricant and solvent bottles are included as are two turn screws, a cleaning rod and a dust brush. Rudolph appropriately engraved all of the accessories.

The ACGG #19 raffle project truly qualifies as a magnificent, one-of-a-kind custom firearm that some lucky soul will take home for the price of a twenty dollar raffle ticket. Tickets can be ordered from Jan Billeb, ACGG, 22 Vista View Drive, Cody, WY 82414 (307) 587-4297 or through the ACGG website (www. acgg.org). Ticket sales are limited to a maximum of 4000 and the winner does not have to be present at the drawing. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The Makers:

Joe Peitz, 409 Ave E, Ft Madison, IA 52627 319-372-3198

Larry Amrine, 937 S La Luna Ave, Ojai, CA 93023 805-646-2376

Gil Rudolph, 20922 Oak Pass Dr, Tehachapi, CA 93561 661-882-4949

Case by Marvin Huey, 820 Indiana St, Lawrence, KS 66044 785-842-0062

Knife by Jim Martin, 1120 S Cadiz Ct, Oxnard, CA 93035 805-985-9849

Photography: Turk’s Head Productions, Inc.