John Bivins was one of the early masters of 20th century American long rifle making, and his work continues to influence makers today. He trained with Wallace Gusler of Colonial Williamsburg fame and was the mentor of other well-respected modern makers, including other masters like Monte Mandarino and Mark Silver. The former is believed to be the second individual who worked on this project based on the signatures. This beautiful rifle is delicately and tastefully ornamented in all the right places with detailed carving, molding, engraving, and wire inlays. The blued barrel has traditional style blade and notch sights, a silver vent liner, and Bivins' "I-B" maker's mark on the upper left flat at the breech. Like most of the original rifles, the barrel is otherwise plain. The lock is signed "M-M" on the outside and has "014" on the inside at the pan and "I-B" and "M-M" hallmarks on the inside of the plate itself. It has some nice filled accents but is also relatively plain like original American rifles. It has double set triggers. The stock is very finely carved with molding on the forend and butt, stylized flats, a floral motif at the breech, scrollwork at the rear of the wrist, stepped cheek rest, and raised relief scrollwork on the left side of the butt. The patch box is engraved and accented by wire inlaid borders and is opened by a button on the buttplate tang.

Very fine as custom made overall with 98% plus original blue finish, some minor staining on the otherwise bright lock, aged patina on the brass, crisp carving and engraving, and a few minor handling and storage marks and scratches. Mechanically excellent.