^Lot 3528 BLAKE ROTARY MAGAZINE BOLT ACTION RIFLE.

Cal. 405 WCF. NSN. Bbl 28" round with octagon center portion. Top flat is marked "Made by John Henry Blake for Thomas B. Martinez-Gardeza". Rear round portion of bbl has two line Winchester address marking and larger Winchester name appears to be added later. Left side has hand engraved "405 WCF" markings. German silver blade Rocky Mountain front sight with elevator adjustable hooded v-notch rear sight. Unusual bolt action rifle with four front locking lugs that cocks on opening. The Blake competed in the 1892 US Rifle Trials which adopted the Krag-Jorgenson design. It is fed by a 7 round gold washed aluminum rotary magazine loaded through a bottom mounted trapdoor. Blue finish with nickel finished lower receiver and trapdoor. The bottom trapdoor is engraved with a bear portrait in a mountain range scene. Forearm and s-curved pistol grip walnut stock features segmented fleur de lis hand checkering. LOP: 13" over a grooved steel buttplate. Commercial production of the Blake rifle ended in 1909 with less than 1,000 produced. CONDITION: bbl and upper receiver portion have over 90% reblued finish showing light scratches and marks. Lower receiver and trapdoor retains 80% nickel finish. Original stock finish shows scratches and marks and have good checkering. Bore retains sound rifling with slightly darkened appearance. (25-1315/DS). CURIO. $800-1,200.