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LOT 3477
Exquisite Game Scene Engraved and Gold Inlaid R. G. Owen Model 1903 Bolt
Action Sporting Rifle with Zeiss Scope and Case - NSN, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Built on a World War I era
Model 1903 action, this rifle was completed by famed gunsmith and stock maker R. G.
Owen in the early 1930s. Owen is possibly the finest gunmaker to ever make guns in
the United States, building rifles on a custom order basis in the fashion of England’s fine
gunmakers, with this rifle being a wonderful example of his work.
The rifle features a blued barrel with a banded white beaded blade front sight with
scroll engraving behind the ramp, sling swivel on the underside, and the signature “R.
G. OWEN, SAUQUOIT N.Y.” on the top. The barrel is fitted to the blued Model 1903 action
which displays highly attractive scroll engraving on the front receiver ring, the Lyman
48 rear peep sight, the upper tang, bolt handle, and safety paddle, which shows gold
inlaid “SAFE” and “READY” markings. The action also features an engine turned magazine
follower, checkered bolt knob, checkered trigger, and a Griffin & Howe scope mount
(with 1932 “Pat. Applied For” date) which is beautifully engraved with relief scrollwork
and holding a Carl Zeiss Zielklein scope. The bottom metal and hinged floorplate, with
Owen’s button release, are casehardened and display a highly attractive gold inlaid full
curl ram at the center surrounded by gorgeous scrollwork which is in turn encompassed
by roses in bloom. This engraving continues onto the trigger guard which features a
bouquet of 13 roses. August Heym and Rudolph Kornbrath are known to have engraved
for Owen in the Sauquoit days, and while the engraving is unsigned, it was clearly cut by
the hand of one of these masters, most likely Kornbrath. A very similarly engraved rifle
cut by the same hand and from the collection of famed director Frank Capra, is available
in this auction as Lot 508. The rifle is fitted in a gorgeous highly figured pistol grip stock
featuring a horn forend tip, gorgeous multi-point checkering with relief diamond in the
forend, carved arrowheads at the drop points indicating the handiwork of renowned
checkerer Bill Snyder, engraved trapdoor grip cap (with spare front sight blade), Owen’s
distinctly shaped shadowline cheekpiece, rear sling swivel, three letter initial monogram
in the inscription shield, and a checkered trapdoor buttplate (with a period pull through
bore cleaner). Included is a leather scope case and a two piece leather rifle case.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 99% of the blue finish, 50% case colors with some
muting and the balance a fine silver patina, minor handling evidence, a few scratches in
the wood, and sharp checkering on the stock. Mechanically excellent. The scope optics
are clear. The cases are very good. This is a great opportunity to own one of the finest
rifles ever built in America!
Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500