O'Brien Rifle Company .17 Magnum, Sako L461, gold, silver, ivory, engraved, carved, superb bore

O’Brien Rifle Company custom Sako L461 in .17 Magnum. Created circa 1970, this wonderful little rifle weighs just 6.6 pounds including the Leupold Vari-X II 2-7x scope. Wearing a petite 20-inch sporter barrel (.50 muzzle diameter), the action features a jeweled bolt body and extractor, tuned trigger and is topped with Conetrol mounts. ENGRAVING: Signed by “Cairo” (centered on the barrel just ahead of the front ring), approximately 80 percent of all metal surfaces are dramatically embellished. The primary pattern is bold vine, oak leaf and scroll over a punch dot base. Some 24 relief and engraved characters (leaves, birds and animals) appear in gold and over 40 appear in silver. Additional gold accents include the ringed muzzle, along with plated sling swivel studs and trigger shoe. INLAYS: Four ivory/ebony inlays and one stand-alone ivory inlay are seamlessly incorporated into the stock, including a crest with scrimshawed legend “O’B .17” on the forearm and a spectacular ivory wolf stalking across the butt. MARKINGS: The top of the barrel is engraved “O’Brien’s Rifle Co, Las Vegas, Nevada”, the caliber marking and previously indicated engraver signature appear just ahead of the action and the stock is signed (under the wolf) by “N. Hultgren”. The minute legend “Sako Finland, BV Linden WA” appears on the underside of the barrel just ahead of the forend tip, as the rifle was at one time reimported from Canada. STOCK: With contrasting forend tip and grip cap, the stock exhibits an amazing sunburst of bold figure whipped with fiddle. Carved with a deep interlocking basketweave, complimentary oak leaves, acorns and border treatments, additional appointments include a scalloped cheek piece, soft Monte Carlo comb the barest hint of a palm swell. DIMENSIONS: Length-of-pull is 13.6 inches. CONDITION: The bore is bright, with strong rifling. Blue stands at approximately 95 percent, with one area of discoloration on the unengraved portion of the barrel (right side) and a bit of tarnish near the muzzle. The stock varnish has an area of crazing and flaking around the inlay on the right side (below the bolt), as well as several other minor finish fissures. CALIBER: The .17 Magnum is based on the .222 Magnum case. The price is firm and layaway is available. $3,500 plus shipping. Additional photos are available by request (include direct email address).