Hoffman Arms Co. Engraved Martini 25-20 SOLD!
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Outstanding Hoffman Arms Co, Ardmore, Okla. 25-20 built on a Francotte Martini action with a 24" barrel. Barrel with an island ramp front sight and excellent bore. Miniature Francotte action with 1902 patent date equipped with what I think is a modified Lyman 42 receiver peep sight. The Francotte action, trigger guard, and lever are color case hardened retaining approximately 60% colors and with 60% coverage crisp Rudolph Kornbrath scroll engraving. The lever knob is engraved with 5 panel checkering. Stocked in European Walnut with 28 LPI point pattern checkering, shadow line pancake cheekpiece, checkered steel buttplate, steel pistol grip cap, and horn forend tip. 13 1/2" LOP 5lb 7oz
Seymour Griffin and James Howe formed Griffin & Howe in May of 1923. In October of 1923 James Howe left to join Hoffman Arms Co. in Cleveland. In July of 1925 Hoffman moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma after being purchased by Oklahoma oilmen. They were Griffin & Howe's biggest competitor building mostly bolt guns on Mauser and Springfield actions. Total production was about 500 guns. I have seen about 15 Hoffman shotguns, two double rifles, one drilling, and one 95 Winchester. This Ardmore gun remains in outstanding original and unrestored condition. I think this is almost certainly a one of one piece and Kornbrath engraved to boot. A great piece of Americana and the neatest little rifle that I have seen in a long, long time!
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