Custom .17 Kilbourn K-Hornet Falling Block Single Shot Rilfe & Unertl 10x
SOLD FOR: $1405
LSB#: 210906MB26
Make: Unknown, the style suggests Swiss/Austrian/German
Model: Custom Falling-Block Target Rifle
Serial Number: 1534
Year of Manufacture: The receiver was likely made in the early 1900s. The barrel is more recent, likely 1960s-1980s. This rifle is classified as Modern and will need to be transferred through a Dealer FFL.
Caliber: .17 Kilbourn Hornet (K-Hornet)
Action Type: Single Shot, Lever Actuated Falling Block with Double Set-Triggers
Markings: The front face of the receiver is marked with the serial number “1534”, found again on the top of the lever assembly. The left of the barrel is marked “SHILEN 17 KH”, the bottom is marked “4 1 69 CM”. The receiver has light decorative and border engraving.
Barrel Length: 22″
Sights / Optics: The barrel has two sight-blocks installed with rings holding a J. Unertl 10x scope with crosshair reticle. The scope has scattered light wear and infrequent minor oxidation in the body with some erosion around the rear edge of the eyepiece and fairly clear glass, in Good-Very Good condition. There is no provision for iron sights.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece schuetzen-style black synthetic with schnabel-tip forend, perch-belly stock with raised comb and smooth steel buttplate with trapdoor over a storage compartment with the inside of the door marked “Albright / Produtcs Co.”. The stocks have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The right of the wrist has a crack, it is unclear if it is a surface crack in the coating of the stock or if it is a deeper crack through the under-lying material. The LOP measures 13 1/2″ and 12 3/4″ from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered wear and minor surface oxidation with the worn areas showing treatment with cold blue. Overall, the stocks are in Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue & Case Color
Finish Originality: The finish is original to the parts, the barrel is not original to the receiver.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The barrel has some light wear at the muzzle and a few scattered minor marks. The receiver’s case color is generally strong with some minor oxidation and thinning, mostly at edges. There are a few scattered light marks on the receiver, most notable is a pair of scratches on the right below the rear of the breech-block. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good-Fine condition as customized.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger when set is quite light and crisp, and the trigger is a little heavier, but still crisp when not set. The lever locks up properly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The installed scope is included as described.
Our Assessment: Kilbourn was a prominent New York gunsmith who created a wildcat from the .22 hornet by moving the shoulder forward to increase case capacity and achieve higher velocities and greater energies than the original .22 Hornet. The next logical step is to neck it down to .17 caliber, and then you have the .17 Kilbourn Hornet. This is a custom target rifle with a Shilen barrel chambered for .17 K-Hornet and built on a falling-block action. The action appears to have originally been for a rimfire, based on the lack of proof markings, and its styling suggests that it was made in the Swiss/Austrian/German region. The rifle is finished off with a set of synthetic stocks and a vintage Unertl 10x scope. By all appearances, it’s a real shooter that will have lifetimes worth of use left in it. Those who can appreciate old-world quality will love this classically-styled rifle. Please see our photos and good luck!