Lot 3496: Winchester 21 Rifle 45-70

This beautiful example of deluxe custom Winchester gold inlaid Royal Grand American Big Game double rifle was manufactured by the Winchester factory on a Winchester Model 21 action in "45-70". The deluxe engraving and gold animal inlays were designed and executed by the Master Engraver Nick Kusmit. Kusmit is well known throughout the industry and was a long time employee of the Winchester Custom Shop. He designed and engraved many high quality rifles and shotguns for senior leaders of industry, dignitaries and select senior Winchester employees. This double rifle has both metal engraving and raised gold inlays in the "Royal Grand American" style on the action, trigger guard, rear of the barrels and the latch mechanism of the forearm. Deluxe carving on the buttstock covers the top rear half of the checkering on both sides in the pistol grip area, and extends down and around the rear of the lower tang. The barrels have a custom ramp front sight with an interchangeable type brass bead, smooth concave rib and an express rear sight with one standing and three folding leaves, which has gold center lines and gold yardage markings at 50, 75,100 and 150. Jeweled barrel flats and chopper lumps and auto ejectors, the flats marked with serial number and "45-70 GOVERNMENT" and 2 1/2 inch wedge of scroll engraving on the sides over the chambers. The full coverage Grand American style engraved action has milled flat sides and relief gold animal field scenes: elk on the left side, moose on the right, big horn sheep on the bottom, bear head on the trigger guard. Oak leaf chiseled fences, jeweled breech face and water table. Gold serial number on the upper tang, and a gold selective trigger. Equipped with a tang safety. Mounted with presentation grade American black walnut straight grip stock with carved old Winchester style scroll and fine line checkering, engraved skeletonized blued steel buttplate with checkered bare wood butt and oriented screw head slots. The matching walnut beavertail forearm has an engraved knuckle and latch plate, ebony inlay in the tip, and extensive carving and fine line checkering. Leather covered oak takedown case with leather reinforced corners, brass latch and leather straps. Maroon cloth interior with Winchester makers label in the lid, nickeled oil bottle and 45-70 cal. Snap caps. With a C.S.M. Co. two shot test target showing touching bullet holes from regulated right/left barrels.

Near new as custom made (all components are original Winchester production and finished by Tony Galazan, Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company) and engraved by Winchester Master Engraver Nick Kusmit showing only the slightest handling marks. The case is very fine showing overall minor handling/storage marks. This is possibly the finest Custom Shop special order Model 21 Winchester double rifle ever made.