Roy Vail of Warwick, New York is perhaps best known for his restoration work on a pair of pistols once owned by George Washington, but was also a highly regarded custom gun maker and engraver, producing shotguns for the likes of Bing Crosby, and even President Dwight D. Eisenhower. This eye catching Roy Vail custom rifle was manufactured without sights on the tapered barrel with flourishes of fine scroll engraving around the muzzle and at the breech with an inlaid gold wire band at the breech. The top of the barrel is signed "Roy Vail" in fancy script as is the right side receiver rail, and top of the stock wrist. The receiver is casehardened with deep cut scroll engraving, punch dot backgrounds, engraved scope bases and a Bushnell Scopechief II scope. The floor plate is similarly engraved with a gold inlaid standing bear in the center. The bolt body and extractor are engraved in a pattern similar to that seen with jewelling, and the handle is round with fine knurling. Finely checkered pistol grip stock with an ebony forend cap, flourishes of carved scroll work, raised cheekpiece, contrasting wood inlaid animal heads on the sides of the buttstock, and an engraved, serrated, trapdoor buttplate. With a hardwood display case fitted for the rifle with attached scope, and a Nebo Hunting Lodge Inc. patch on the interior of the lid. Includes the February 1950 issue of "The American Rifleman" which has Roy Vail on the cover and an article discussing how Vail engraves a floor plate.

Very fine as custom built, engraved, and stocked by Master Gunsmith and engraver Roy Vail. 95% of the blue finish remains on the barrel with some light edge and muzzle wear, scattered surface scratches and handling marks overall. The engraving is sharp and the case colors on the receiver are vivid. The stock is fine with some scattered small dings, well defined checkering, and rich color. Mechanically excellent. Scope is very good with some exterior dings. Case is good with scattered scratches and dings on the exterior, and visible wear on the leather wrapped handles.