The Ultimate Heirloom: The Wild Sheep Foundation 50th Anniversary Criterion Rifle
Honoring 50 Years of Conservation
To celebrate the Wild Sheep Foundation’s 50th Anniversary, Griffin & Howe is proud to present a one-of-a-kind custom Criterion .300 Win Mag rifle package. Fully donated by Griffin & Howe and valued at $115,000, this extraordinary build will be auctioned at the 50th Anniversary Sheep Show Expo in February 2027, with 100% of the proceeds directly supporting wild sheep conservation worldwide.
Designed to meet the demands of the modern hunter while honoring classic safari rifles, this centerpiece represents the pinnacle of American custom gunmaking – crafted by hand by master artisans over hundreds of hours.
| Feature |
Specification |
| Caliber | .300 Winchester Magnum |
| Action | Sporterized lightweight double square bridge, standard length small ring Mauser 98 action (G&H First-Ever Proprietary Action) |
| Barrel | 24-inch Krieger barrel with integral quarter rib, standing bar (100 yd), and folding leaf (200 yd) |
| Stock | Exhibition-grade Circassian Walnut, hand-shaped, oil-finished, and fine-checkered |
| Metal Finish | Classic rust blue with nitre blue ejector box spring and extractor, complemented by color case hardening |
| Optics & Mounts | Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3×42 P L 4A-IF optic on G&H quick-detachable top mount rings |
Teaser Videos
Check back here to see new teaser videos drop each week!
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Teaser 1
Over 400 Hours of Hand Engraving
The artistic soul of the Criterion rifle lies in the over 400 hours of manual hand engraving executed by Griffin & Howe Master Engraver Chris Rossiter. Incorporating over four feet of combined fine silver, 24k gold, and platinum wire inlays, every metal surface tells a story of dedication and precision.
The centerpiece of this masterpiece is the hinged floor plate, featuring full-coverage arabesque scrolls on a relieved background, bordered by fine silver and accented with 24k gold floral details. At its heart is a fine bulino game scene depicting two Marco Polo sheep.
The detailed scrollwork then extends across the bottom metal, barrel, front ramp sight, scope rings, grip cap, bolt shroud, and receiver. Gold accents – including the iconic Griffin & Howe banner, 24k gold caliber designations on the integral rib, and platinum-bordered shroud lines – complete a decorative finish that elevates this rifle from a custom firearm to a museum-grade heirloom.
Package Details
Every accessory in this package was crafted using the identical raw materials of the rifle build:
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Custom Damascus Hunting Knife by Stelter Knives: Hand-forged directly from the metal shavings of the rifle’s action and barrel. The handle is shaped from the same exhibition-grade Circassian Walnut stock blank and hand-engraved with the matching serial number.
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Bespoke Presentation Case by Teton Leather: A handcrafted oak security case hand-wrapped in North American bison leather with accents of North American beaver tail, featuring the Wild Sheep Foundation 50th Anniversary logo stitched into the lining.
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Matching Accessories: A hand-crafted rifle sling and custom knife sheath, both finished in matching North American bison leather and beaver tail by Teton Leather.
