This rifle matches the rifle from the Jack Appel Collection illustrated in Appel's article in The American Society of Arms Collectors bulletin in spring 1978 on page 40 where it is listed as "No. 2 action. Engraved. Pistol grip schuetzen rifle. A retirement award to a factory foreman. Rare with pistol grip." It is also pictured in "Still More Single Shot Rifles" by James J. Grant on page 163 and 164 (serial number misread due to fancy script). Grant notes that: "This specimen has a beautiful pistol grip, cheekpiece stock with Scheutzen butt plate. Checkered grip and forend. The forend tip is silver plated, quite a beauty!" Only a few thousand Model 2 rolling block rifles are estimated to have been manufactured around 1873-1910 with a variety of special order features. This one of a kind example is equipped with a Lyman No. 5 combination bead/globe front sight, elevation adjustable Rocky Mountain flat top sporting sight (preceded by the one-line address), and tang mounted Lyman #1 peep sight (installed over a leather pad). The action is beautifully engraved with elaborate, high quality scrollwork and border designs and has "No. 39701" elegantly engraved in script on the lower tang rather than stamped. It is mounted with a deluxe, checkered handmade stock and forearm with nickel plated forend cap and a small Swiss buttplate, a horn grip insert, high comb, cheekpiece, and a monogrammed silver initial shield with intertwined "H," "P," and "C." The underside of the barrel has the matching serial number, "&," "32 W," and "G2." The interior of the forearm has been marked "J. APPEL" in pencil. (He was a well known Remington collector from New York.) "793" is marked on the left side of the upper and lower tangs, and the right side of the upper tang is marked "35".

Fine. 70% plus of the fiery case colors remain on the action with some slight fading from handling. 40% of the faded original blue finish remains on the barrel along with some light spotting and a brown patina. The breechblock and hammer retains 40% of the faded original blue finish with some bright wear from use. The wood is very fine with crisp checkering and only minor handling and storage marks. 97% of the original nickel plating remains on the forend cap and buttplate. The initial shield has an aged patina and has crisp markings and engraving patterns. Mechanically excellent.