I need help establishing a value on an Oberndorf commercial single square bridge action. The receiver is from the widow of gun builder Ike Ellis. I have been asked to help liquidate some items for her but I have no idea what to ask for the action. The photos do a better job describing the action than I can. It is highlly engraved with a carved oak leaf pattern with no clues as to who the engraver is. The bolt face has been opened up to a magnum bolt face with the mag opening being appx. 3.62". The jewelling on the bolt is incredible and extremely precise. The action has been color cased and stil shows some colors. All in all it is a truly beautiful receiver. If any of you could give me what I should ask for this receiver it would be a big help. If you have any questions please ask them and I will do my best to answer them.

Thanks,
Bill

Don't know what it might be worth, but I can say I'd like to have it in my gun safe!

wow that jeweling is really impressive, I don't suppose you have any closer up shots of it?

Red

The photos are about as close as I can get with my digital camera and still have the image crisp. I have never seen jewelling like was done on this action. It is absolutely perfect and precise everywhere it was done.

Once I can get a value determined it will be going up for sale.

You should contact Michael Petrov on this one.
Could be Kornbrath engraved. That bear face on the bolt handle is very much in the Hoffman style.
It is a 1912 action.
Perhaps it could be an action offered in the 30's Stoeger catalogs. I will check my copy but I remember seeing Oberndorf actions offered and a number of engraving patterns available as well. Being case colored makes me think this may be the case.
Oh yes, I would like to have that action as a 404 bear gun or a 9.3x62 for elk and boar hunting in a nice Adolph style rifle.

Pic from a '30s AFStoeger catalog. A bit different I guess.

I think I just found out how to spend some of my annual bonus!

The best way to find out is run a 14 day auction on GB and start the auction at a penny. The true value will be reveled in 14 day's.

Only a guess, more than $1000 less than $1500 if the engraving is included.

Terry

Maybe Bill Johns in Cody, WY. He does a lot of deep full relief type engraving.

Bill, any chance of getting a clearer picture of the bear on the bolt knob?
Petrov is looking through his pulls of Kornbrath engraving to check if it could be his.

Thanks everyone for all the help and info. i tried for an hour to get better pics of the bear but these are the best I can do. Sorry but I am not the best photographer.

I don't claim to know anything regarding the lovely engraving on your action, but last summer I was in a similar boat trying to learn more about a full coverage S&W pistol. The style was
similarly Germanic and very well executed although unsigned and didn't appear to be by one of the name engravers.
Subsequent consensus seemed to point to the "House of Bock or Bock Gun Works" which I took to mean an umbrella of highly skilled contract artisans working in immediate post wwii Germany. Displaced by the war, these gentlemen offered great value for the engraving dollar, much of which was commissioned by in country servicemen as well as later mail order type work if I'm not mistaken. IIRC, Michael Mcintosh mentioned this practice in his book on A.H. Fox, but I don't have my copy handy to check.
Another avenue may be to post pics on the hand engravers net forums--someone may recognize the style/artist's hand.
Best luck, it is a great find!

The "NP" below and to the left of the serial number, is that a proof or something or could that be the engravers mark?

The action was made in 1912 and shows the typical Oberndorf proof marks B U .

Moreover there are to be seen the NP proof marks of Ferlach ( Austria ).

Engraving style and treatment of the bolt body is most likely found on some Ferlach rifles made after WW II using that action for their purpose.

I like the engraving.

well being as i don't know who engraved it I'll start at $50.00

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
well being as i don't know who engraved it I'll start at $50.00

$55!

did i win?!

Beautiful action with very tasteful to me engraving. I personally think the bolt handle is too slim but would still pay $1000 for it knowing full well it is worth far more than that. I would have no idea how to determine the market value other than to put it up for auction and in that case I would have no idea of a base price to establish. I like it enough that I would personally pay $1000 for it and I have never paid anywhere near that for an action and I have purchased several original Oberndorf's for under $400.

Is that an original Single square bridge action or a military action with the rear bridge built up?

That is without any doubt an original single square bridge.

Bolt handle is not original, neither is safety. Possibly engraved in Ferlach or Suhl. Like Terry suggested, you could put it on GB for 2 weeks with a high reserve to get a ballpark price.

Mr.Berger, should you decide to auction the action, please let me offer my photography services. I am not nearly at the level of some here but I believe I can provide very up close detailed pictures.