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Deluxe Rundell Signed Engraved and Gold-Inlaid Winchester Model 55 Takedown Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
Deluxe Rundell Signed Engraved and Gold-Inlaid Winchester Model 55 Takedown Rifle
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Estimate: $12000 - 18000
Manufacturer: Winchester Model: 55
The inlays, engraving and carving were executed by Joe Rundell of Clio, Michigan, in 1994. The rifle is accompanied by a letter from Mr. Rundell that describes the engraving and gives the details of his career. Mr. Rundell spent his career as a General Motors employee and was offered a position as master engraver by Colt Firearms in 1979. He stated that he declined the offer due to labor problems at Colt. Manufactured in 1926. The rifle has a 24-inch round barrel and half magazine. The barrel has a "Jack" style front sight with gold bead and a sporting style rear sight. The stock and forearm are straight grain black walnut with a hand rubbed satin oil finish. The stock has a serrated blued steel shotgun style buttplate. The engraving features gold inlaid lines on the takedown lever, takedown collar, barrel, receiver, bolt, hammer and lever. The left side of the receiver is decorated with a highly detailed gold inlaid bobcat in a woodland scene. A whitetail buck is relief engraved in platinum with a circular gold inlaid border on the right side of the receiver. The top of the barrel at the breech, takedown collar, the receiver, upper tang, sides of the hammer and sides of the lever are relief engraved with intricate scrollwork on a stippled background. The scrollwork covers nearly all of the receiver and is bordered with gold inlays. The stock and forearm are decorated with relief-carved scroll and vine designs modeled after the Winchester "Style B" carving.
BBL: 24 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30 WCF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 1019722
Condition:
Near mint as custom embellished. This beautifully finished and engraved rifle is in virtually new condition. The intricate, flawlessly executed scrollwork on the barrel, receiver and other components is in perfect condition. The numerous gold inlays are in excellent condition with some slight discoloration on the inlay surrounding the game scene and loading lever on the right side of the receiver. The stock and forearm are in perfect condition; the delicate relief carved scroll and vine designs on the stock and forearm are extremely sharp. The stock and forearm retain all of the oiled satin finish. The factory markings are crisp. This is an exceptional example of a Rundell engraved and gold-inlaid Model 55 Takedown Rifle. The engraving, inlays and carving on this exceptional rifle rival the decoration and finish on early 20th Century Winchester factory engraved rifles.