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Sterling Davenport .500 Jeffery Built for Professional Hunter Michael Fell | “Sterling’s Last Rifle” | Certified Safari-Ready™
Guns International #: 103634193 Seller's Inventory #: MSFA26-019
Category: Rifles - African Dangerous Game Safari Magazine - American Custom Gunmakers Guild Rifles
Seller's Information
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Seller: MS&FA
Company: Mackey Safari & Fine Arms International
Member Since: 1/21/24
First Name: Stephen
Last Name: Mackey
State: Montana
Zip: 59754
Country: United States
Phone: (406) 988-8531
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 15
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Cash, ACH, Checks, Certified Checks, Credit Cards
About Us: Mackey Safari & Fine Arms International offers a carefully selected collection of fine sporting arms chosen for their craftsmanship, aesthetics, and safari readiness. MS&FA was founded to bring together firearms that strike a rare balance—expertly made, visually compelling, and built to be carried into the field. Each piece is evaluated thoughtfully and represented honestly, with an emphasis on condition, function, and readiness. Whether a rifle’s future is on safari, at the range, or in a serious collection, our standard remains the same. We also actively acquire high-quality sporting rifles and curated collections, with a focus on classic safari calibers, fine doubles, and bespoke bolt-action rifles. Discreet inquiries are welcomed.
Description:
Offered here is a highly significant Sterling Davenport custom big-bore rifle chambered in .500 Jeffery—one of the great stopping cartridges of the African dangerous-game world.
Built for professional hunter Michael Fell, this rifle represents a rare opportunity to acquire a named Sterling Davenport rifle with exceptional provenance, serious dangerous-game configuration, and direct connection to African professional hunting history.
Sterling Davenport began building custom rifles in the late 1970s while working with Harry Lawson. His work later attracted the attention of Paul Roberts of Rigby after Roberts saw Davenport’s rifles at Safari Club International. Davenport subsequently built rifles for Rigby, and it is believed that fewer than 50 rifles were ultimately marked with his own name. As a result, Sterling Davenport rifles are seldom encountered on the secondary market and are highly respected among knowledgeable custom rifle and dangerous-game rifle enthusiasts.
This example, serial number 9306, is built on a large-ring Mauser 98 action and configured as a serious professional-grade big-bore stopping rifle. The rifle features a 21-inch round barrel marked “Sterling Davenport Tucson AZ,” with elongated island express rear sight base carrying one standing and one folding leaf. The front sight is an NECG banded ramp with sight protector and silver bead. The barrel is ported on either side of the front ramp, and the rifle is fitted with a sleeved barrel sling eye.
The Mauser action has been professionally modified with a turned-down bolt handle, replacement bolt shroud incorporating a Model 70-style safety, commercial trigger, and engine-turned bolt body. The top of the action is drilled and tapped for scope mounting if desired. Custom bottom metal is fitted for single-stack loading, with a deep hinged floorplate retained by a release button inside the trigger guard bow.
The stock is classically shaped for heavy dangerous-game use and measures 14 5/8 inches length of pull over a Silver-type recoil pad. Features include a shadowline right-hand cheekpiece, trap steel grip cap, horn forend tip, dual recoil bolts, closely spaced borderless point-pattern checkering wrapping over the grip and around the underside of the forend, and a shadowline-carved bolt-handle relief on the right side of the stock.
Of particular interest is the engraved silver plaque on the right side of the buttstock, which reads: “.500 JEFFREY / MADE FOR / PROFESSIONAL HUNTER / MICHAEL FELL / RIFLE BY / STERLING DAVENPORT / TUCSON, AZ / STERLING’S LAST RIFLE.”
Michael Fell is a well-known Kenya-based professional hunter, naturalist, and photographer. This rifle was previously part of the Buckstix Collection, where it was identified and cataloged as a Sterling Davenport rifle built for Michael Fell and inscribed “Sterling’s Last Rifle.” While that inscription and collection provenance make this a particularly interesting Davenport example, the rifle’s core appeal remains its rarity, .500 Jeffery chambering, professional hunter provenance, and serious dangerous-game configuration.
The .500 Jeffery remains one of the most powerful and respected dangerous-game cartridges ever developed, delivering tremendous close-range authority for elephant, buffalo, hippo, and other heavy game. In a properly built Mauser rifle, it represents one of the classic magazine-rifle alternatives to a large-bore double rifle.
Condition is very fine overall, retaining nearly all custom finishes on both wood and metal, with only minor marks and handling evidence, primarily on the right side of the stock. The bore is bright and shiny, and the rifle is mechanically excellent.
Specifications:
• Maker: Sterling Davenport — Tucson, Arizona
• Caliber: .500 Jeffery
• Serial Number: 9306
• Barrel Length: 21"
• Action: Large-ring Mauser 98
• Safety: Model 70-type safety
• Sights: Island express rear sight, NECG banded ramp front sight with silver bead
• Stock: Classic walnut with shadowline cheekpiece, horn forend tip, dual recoil bolts
• Length of Pull: 14 5/8"
• Provenance: Built for Professional Hunter Michael Fell; from the Buckstix Collection; buttstock plaque inscribed “Sterling’s Last Rifle”
• Condition: Very fine overall
Certified Safari-Ready™
This rifle has been evaluated under our Certified Safari-Ready™ protocol.
Each Certified Safari-Ready™ firearm is test-fired to confirm safe operation, reliable feeding and extraction, proper safety engagement, and practical hunting accuracy.
Sights, mounts, and optics—when present—are inspected for correct installation and field suitability. The rifle’s overall configuration is reviewed to ensure it is appropriate for demanding dangerous-game conditions.
The Certified Safari-Ready™ designation signifies that the rifle has been professionally assessed and prepared for immediate field use. Certification reflects the rifle’s condition and function at the time of evaluation.
Video walk-throughs available by appointment.
Shipping and insurance is an estimate only. Final cost will be determined based on destination, declared value, and method of shipment. Adult signature required.
Price: $10,450.00
Rifle Caliber: .500 Jeffery
Manufacturer: Sterling Davenport
Model: Custom Mauser
Serial Number: 9306
Barrel Length: 21
Condition: Very Fine
Metal Condition: Very Fine
Wood Condition: Very Fine
Bore Condition: Excellent
LOP: 14 5/8
Weight: 9.7