NICK KUSMIT ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1876 LEVER ACTION RIFLE, THE LIBERTY RIFLE.

NICK KUSMIT ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1876 LEVER ACTION RIFLE, THE LIBERTY RIFLE. SN 59934. Cal. 40-60. Fine upgrade deluxe rifle with 28″ oct bbl, full magazine, half nickel front sight and “1876” marked ladder rear sight. Mounted with nicely figured American walnut with custom oversize H-style checkered forearm and straight stock that has crescent buttplate with trap. Carrier is gold-washed. Consignor states that with his long time friendship with Winchester Master Engraver Nick Kusmit, he was able to persuade him to engrave this and a number of other firearms. Receiver & sideplates are beautifully engraved in relief vignettes of Independence Hall, Philadelphia on left sideplate and the Liberty Bell on left front side of receiver. Right sideplate is relief engraved with Paul Revere riding his horse and Old North Church in the background. Right front of receiver is engraved with a rendition of Archibald McNeal Willard’s “Yankee Doodle” (later renamed “The Spirit of ’76”) which features the very famous two drummers and a fifer marching with the flag in the background. Top of front receiver ring is engraved with a spread-winged eagle. Dust cover is engraved with a ribbon inscribed “1776 / 1876 / 1976”. The dust cover rail is hand checkered. All engraving is surrounded by well-executed foliate arabesque patterns with shell patterns in the corners. Vignettes have fine stippled background with the foliate arabesque patterns having a punch dot background. Engraving extends over top two side flats of bbl about 2-1/4″ with matching patterns on top & bottom of receiver, lever, top tang, forend cap and top flat of bbl back of front sight. Heel of buttplate tang is also engraved to match. PROVENANCE: Ted Knee Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Overall the metal retains about all of its fine custom blue. Wood is sound and retains a restored hand rubbed oil finish. Mechanics are fine, worn dark bore. It is unusual to fine a Nick Kusmit engraved rifle as he is much more famously known for his shotgun engraving. 4-36521 JR339 (5,000-8,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2092	$4,312.50	NICK KUSMIT ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1876 LEVER ACTION RIFLE, THE LIBERTY RIFLE. SN 59934. Cal. 40-60. Fine upgrade deluxe rifle with 28″ oct bbl, full magazine, half nickel front sight and “1876” marked ladder rear sight. Mounted with nicely figured American walnut with custom oversize H-style checkered forearm and straight stock that has crescent buttplate with trap. Carrier is gold-washed. Consignor states that with his long time friendship with Winchester Master Engraver Nick Kusmit, he was able to persuade him to engrave this and a number of other firearms. Receiver & sideplates are beautifully engraved in relief vignettes of Independence Hall, Philadelphia on left sideplate and the Liberty Bell on left front side of receiver. Right sideplate is relief engraved with Paul Revere riding his horse and Old North Church in the background. Right front of receiver is engraved with a rendition of Archibald McNeal Willard’s “Yankee Doodle” (later renamed “The Spirit of ’76”) which features the very famous two drummers and a fifer marching with the flag in the background. Top of front receiver ring is engraved with a spread-winged eagle. Dust cover is engraved with a ribbon inscribed “1776 / 1876 / 1976”. The dust cover rail is hand checkered. All engraving is surrounded by well-executed foliate arabesque patterns with shell patterns in the corners. Vignettes have fine stippled background with the foliate arabesque patterns having a punch dot background. Engraving extends over top two side flats of bbl about 2-1/4″ with matching patterns on top & bottom of receiver, lever, top tang, forend cap and top flat of bbl back of front sight. Heel of buttplate tang is also engraved to match. PROVENANCE: Ted Knee Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Overall the metal retains about all of its fine custom blue. Wood is sound and retains a restored hand rubbed oil finish. Mechanics are fine, worn dark bore. It is unusual to fine a Nick Kusmit engraved rifle as he is much more famously known for his shotgun engraving. 4-36521 JR339 (5,000-8,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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