This rifle was attributed to Lester Smith (1920-1970) and is certainly in the same style as other rifles signed by Smith in this auction. As noted in "Foxfire 5," Smith was reported to have been Hacker Martin's favorite apprentice and "could inlay metal to wood as perfect as any man alive. He was a master engraver, and his work in his late years can be found in some of the best collections of the country." The rifle has traditional blade and notch sights, double set triggers, line and scroll engraving on the various components, double acorn and "weeping heart" inlays along the forend, shields and tear drops on the flats, wire inlay on the sides of the comb, and elaborate daisy finial patch box with pierced side plates, long pierced wear plates on the bottom of the mid-section and butt, crescent moon and hunter star inlays on the cheek rest, and incised scroll carving.

Very fine as custom made with 75% plus of the lightly hand-worn/aged brown finish on the barrel, dark case colors on the lock, minor oxidation, light aged patinas on the furniture and accents, crisp engraving, and minimal age related wear. The stock is also very fine and has attractive figure, crisp carving, and light handling and storage type marks. Mechanically fine.