Lot 34

Ken Hunt Engraved Gold Inlaid Winchester Model 1876 Rifle

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Ken Hunt Engraved Gold Inlaid Winchester Model 1876 Rifle

Estimate: $55,000 - $85,000

Starting Bid: $47,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Extraordinary Exhibition Grade Masterpiece Ken C. Hunt Signed Master Panel Scene Engraved and Gold Inlaid Deluxe Winchester Second Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle with Documentation In the world of high art firearms from the 20th and 21st century there are a select few who stand head and shoulders above the rest, forming a pantheon of true masters of their craft and setting the standard by which all others are measured. Pieces produced by members of that group have become extremely collectible, investment grade works of art, which will only become more desirable as the hands that created them lay down their tools for the final time. Among that group however, there are an extreme select few which are truly elite, being considered the true maestros of their medium, and viewed by fellow artisans as a near peerless peak for which to strive. Among that elite few is the multi-talented and magnificent prodigy Ken C. Hunt. When these generational artists unleash their talents it is truly incredible to behold, particularly when it manifests itself as a titanic collision of influences, styles, and heritage, seamlessly intertwining cross-cultural style and historic reverence, such is the case with this absolute masterpiece. Born in 1935, Kenneth Charles Hunt grew up in Paddington, England, a borough of central London. As a child during the Blitz in the Second World War, like many other metropolitan British children, Hunt was evacuated to the countryside, being boarded at a large country estate in Bedfordshire, where he was influenced by the house's art. In 1950, Hunt landed an engraving apprenticeship with the world-renowned Purdey & Sons under the guidance of Harry Kell. Hunt learned under Kell, Jim Jones, Bill Smith, and others at the Purdey shop, primarily producing piece-work, which connected him to an earlier "golden age" of British gunmaking. In 1963, Hunt set out on his own, following his artistic calling, continuing to do contract work for Purdeys as well as the other makers of the finest British sporting arms, including Westley Richards, John Rigby & Co., and Holland & Holland, with this particular example having been contracted through Rigby & Co. By the time he retired, it is said that Hunt had engraved around 2,600 guns, though many were of a more formulaic variety, and not bespoke fine art masterpieces like this particular example. He has become one of the most highly respected and highly sought after engravers of his era, boldly carrying the banner of past British gunmaking, while also inspiring future generations of artisans with his profoundly adventurous and innovative art. Hunt became very innovative with his art, utilizing a broad spectrum of styles and techniques, including Germanic influence, Damascening, acid etching, and multi-colored gold inlay. He became known among other artisans as an innovator that was constantly pushing the boundaries, with his gold inlay work in particular setting the benchmark for other artists to strive to. His name came to be highly requested among customers and to carry weight, even among the most respected names in British gunmaking, who were steeped in tradition. This particular rifle is a fantastic example of the latitude of Hunt's skill, having been trained in the heritage of the classic British school of engraving, drawing from classical Germanic influences, and producing an iconic, profoundly American, piece of firearms art that is seamlessly connected to the legacy of the American frontier. Originally manufactured in 1880, this iconic Winchester Model 1876 "Centennial" rifle has been elaborately transformed into a stunning and iconic tribute to the American West by the legendary Master Engraver Ken Hunt. Given Hunt's typical artistic sphere among the finery of British "Best" sporting guns, an American classic such as this Model 1876 as his steel canvas is a true rarity. This rifle represents a truly immense collision between the rugged American lever action and the refined artistry of Britain's "Best", with the result being a truly awe-inspiring work of firearms art. The embellishment of this rifle centers around four incredibly detailed panel scenes, all rendered in masterfully executed gold inlay. The sideplates each feature a bison hunting scene, with a mounted Native American armed with a bow pursuing a bison on the left, while a lance-armed Native American attempts to down a bison on the right. The left and right forward portions of the receiver feature a walking grizzly bear and a standing bull elk respectively. The ground foliage of all four scenes is also beautifully accented with gold. Each of the scenes is discreetly signed by Ken Hunt, with the signature on the right sideplate being inlaid in gold. The scene on the left side plate also has a very faint "engraved for/R.M. Lee" inscription. The serial number on the lower tang and model designation on the upper tang are also gold inlaid. The dust cover features a stalking cougar, also in highly detailed gold inlay. The receiver is further accented with gold inlayed borders and leaves. Each of these scenes are wonderfully nestled among extensive and deeply cut grapevine and leaf scrollwork on mostly beaded backgrounds that encompass essentially the rest of the receiver's surfaces. The tang of the buttplate and the forearm cap have matching scrollwork. The top flat of the barrel has the standard two-line Winchester address and King's patent marking, and there are gold inlaid bands at the muzzle and the breech. The Second Model receiver has the dust cover guide secured with two screws and a dust cover with the flush checkered "thumbprint" grip area. It is fitted with a German silver No. 21 blade front sight with the base nitre blued and a nitre blue finished folding ladder rear sight marked "1876" at the top of the ladder. It is mounted with a magnificently figured forearm and pistol grip stock, both with H-pattern deluxe checkering, a gold and ebony insert at the base of the grip, and a trapdoor crescent buttplate. Documentation with the rifle indicates that the rifle was with John Rigby & Co. for 11 years.

Manufacturer: Winchester

Model: 1876

BBL: 28 inch octagon

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 45-60 Winchester

Finish: blue/gold

Serial Number9469

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Robert M. Lee Collection
  • Condition: Excellent as a Ken Hunt embellished masterpiece, retaining 99% plus of the high polish blue finish, vibrant case colors, bright nitre blue, and gold inlays with only the slightest handling evidence overall and extremely crisp, well-executed engraving. The highly figured wood is equally excellent with only the slightest handling marks, essentially all the varnish, and extremely crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This rifle represents a truly profound masterpiece by the legendary artist Ken Hunt, which seamlessly blends British "Best" fine art, rugged American frontier spirit, and Winchester's legendary "Centennial" rifle into a truly collection defining piece of firearms art.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000