Originally designed by John Moses Browning, the Model 1885 is among the most quintessential American firearms, playing a role in the taming of the American West in the late 1800s. This pair of rifles shows gorgeous America themed engraving and beautiful craftsmanship putting them on a different level than most. The pair is made even more extraordinary by its lineage, as it was presented to the 38th President of the United States Gerald R. Ford Jr. for the U.S. bicentennial in 1976. Ford served as president from August 1974 to January 1977, quite a tumultuous time for the country in the wake of Vice President Spiro Agnew's resignation due to conviction for tax evasion and President Richard Nixon's resignation following the Watergate scandal. Ford was quickly propelled from House Minority Leader to Vice President and after only eight months, to President of the United States, having never even had the chance to move into the Vice President's residence. Ford is the only President to have never been elected to the office or the office of Vice President and also remains the only President from the great state of Michigan. Both rifles were built with blued steel octagonal barrels featuring a blade front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight. The barrel of gun "A" bares standard factory markings along with a gold inlaid scroll flourish at the base and gold inlaid "PROPERTY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" while the "B" gun has standard markings along with wedges of scroll engraving at the breech and muzzle. The barrels of both rifles are fitted to highly attractive coin finished actions, both of which show highly attractive floral scroll engraving surrounding circular game scenes on either side. Rifle "A" depicts a magnificent bald eagle on the left side and a proud American Bison on the right both inlaid in highly detailed semi-relief gold with gold inlaid line borders, while rifle "B" shows the same engraving to match cut directly into the action with no gold inlay work. Rifle "A" is signed by two of Browning's engravers on the left side of the action with "VRACKEN" signed beneath the game scene for Master Engraver Louis Vracken and "J. BAERTEN" in the scroll for Master Engraver Jose Baerten. The "B" rifle is signed on the right side of the action "R. BEE" for factory Master Engraver Rosa Bee. Both of the rifles are mounted with exceptionally well-figured and multi-point checkered forends with blued fittings and straight grip stocks with blued steel crescent buttplates. Included is a full length leather bound case that houses both rifles and a pair of numbered coins with a brass plaque marked "PRESENTED/TO/PRESIDENT/GERALD R. FORD/BY THE/REPUBLICAN/NAT'L COMMITTEE" on the lid along with the canvas cover which is marked "PRESIDENT/GERALD R. FORD/UNITED STATES OF AMERICA".

Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue and gold finishes, 95% plus original coin finish, some minor thinning and slight oxidation on the action in the coin primarily on the left side, and overall light handling evidence. There are a few flakes of varnish absent from the edges of the wood to metal fit, otherwise the wood is excellent with a few minor scratches and sharp checkering. The case is very fine. Mechanically excellent.

As described in "A".

Excellent, retaining 99% original blue and coin finishes with only minor handling evidence and a slight spot of oxidation on the action lever. There are a few tiny chips at the receiver to stock junction, otherwise the wood is also excellent with a few tiny scratches and sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rare chance to own a pair of presidential firearms presented to President Gerald Ford by the Republican National Convention!