Lot 19: Exceptional Deluxe Winchester Model 1903 Semi-Automatic Rifle With Nick Kusmit Engraving and John Durkin Fitted and Carved Wood Set

This is a beautiful example of a deluxe Winchester Model 1903 semi automatic rifle that exhibits some of the best and highest degree of gun makers art as applied by two of the finest craftsman in the US today, Nick Kusmit and John Durkin. The rifle itself is the ever popular Winchester Model 1903 semi-automatic in 22 Winchester auto that has been painstakingly restored and embellished with 75-80% engraving and fine gold line borders on the action, trigger guard and rear of the barrel. It was then fitted with a buttstock and forend made of extra fancy claro walnut which has been handfitted and embellished with deep relief carving and fineline checkering in the pistol grip area and sides of the forend. The action itself has a game scene in the center on both sides of the receiver which depicts a group of rabbits in a field scene on the right side and a pair of running squirrels on the left side. Both game scenes have been outlined with fine gold wire, as well as the border of the action, the top and underside of the action, both ends of the barrel, the edges of trigger guard and the Winchester proof marks on top of the barrel and receiver. Both of the game scenes are somewhat similar to a Winchester No 8 style of engraving. The scroll engraving also covers the top and bottom of the action, the underside of the trigger guard and the front and rear sections of the barrel. The buttstock and forend are both made of a select grade of walnut and, as noted, the sides of the forend and pistol grip area have been carved in a large oak leaf pattern, with deluxe fine line checkering that surrounds and compliments the carving. The rifle has a high polish blue finish with fine gold wire with gold washed finish on the trigger, the safety, the end of the tubular magazine, buttplate screws, the forend cap screws and the very end of the cocking rod. The model 1903 was one of the first semi-automatic rifles produced by Winchester and was designed by T.C.Johnson and was offered in a takedown version only. It features fixed sights and a metal forend cap with a Winchester grip cap and crescent butt plate. The 10 round tubular magazine is located in the buttstock. Manufactured from 1903 to 1932 with about 126,000 being sold.