Lot 155

John Kusmit Engraved and Gold Inlaid Winchester Model 70 Rifle

Previous image preload Next image preload

John Kusmit Engraved and Gold Inlaid Winchester Model 70 Rifle

Estimate: $75,000 - $125,000

Starting Bid: $65,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Outstanding and Extremely Rare John Kusmit Factory Master Engraved and Gold Inlaid Pre-64 Winchester Class 1 Special Order Model 70 Bolt Action Rifle with Scope and Pauline Muerrle Letter Thanks to our right to bear arms enshrined by our Second Amendment, the American sporting arms market is vast and diverse with a near infinite number of options to fit whatever a person's needs may be. American sportsmen follow many pursuits, from punching holes in paper and shooting prairie dogs at extended ranges, all the way to hunting the world's most dangerous game from charging bull elephants and cape buffalo in Africa to massive grizzly bears on Alaska's Kodiak Island. In these pursuits there have been any number of fine options produced by America's legendary manufacturers, but at the top of the list sits the Winchester Model 70, with this rifle being a top-of-the-line example of what Winchester could do. The Model 70 was released in 1936 to immediate acclaim and quickly earned the moniker "The Rifleman's Rifle". The Model 70 was designed to be rugged, with its controlled round feed action, which was the standard for the world's military rifles of the day, and more refined fitting resulting in superb accuracy, combining for a truly spectacular sporting rifle. The Model 70 was introduced alongside the company's new cartridge, which would go on to be lauded outdoor writer Jack O'Connor's favorite cartridge, the All-American .270 Winchester. The .270 Winchester was a major step forward in ballistic performance with its sleek fast-moving bullets which maintain energy longer, bucked the wind better, and dropped less than the other, more established cartridges of the day. For the last 90 years, the Model 70 has been the standard by which other sporting rifles are measured and has been chambered in a multitude of calibers from the .22 Hornet to the massive .458 Winchester Magnum and a number of different configurations from the standard configuration, perfect for hunting rough terrain from chasing white-tails in the woods of the East Coast to the heights of the Rocky Mountains in pursuit of bighorn rams, to the exceptionally finely finished Class 1 Special Order rifles like this outstanding example, which would be at home in even the grandest collections of fine sporting arms. These highly engraved Model 70s are extremely rare as they were difficult to produce given the size constraints of the bolt action as well as the shear hardness of the steel according to author Roger Rule in his book "The Rifleman's Rifle", where he also states many of these rifles were produced as gifts for heads of state and other dignitaries. The Model 70 was considered for military service as early as 1942 but was rejected on the basis of the Marine Corps not wanting to add yet another weapons platform into the already stretched supply chain, though some were ordered and delivered before the decision was made. These rifles found their way into the hands of National Match shooters, mainly through George Van Orden's famed shop Evaluators, Ltd., where he modified Model 70s to customer specifications and created the renowned "Van Orden Snipers" culminating in Walter Walsh's 1952 victory at Camp Perry, Ohio, bringing attention from the U.S. Army, who in turn armed their rifle team with Model 70s. The logistical issues were again sited in regard to the adoption of the Model 70 during the Korean War, as the groups within the Marine Corps again submitted it for consideration. Finally, when the war in Vietnam reared its head, the Model 70 answered the call in the hands of the U.S. Marine Corps. The Model 70 was used quite effectively, perhaps most famously in the hands of decorated U.S.M.C. veteran Carlos "White Feather" Hathcock who carried a Model 70 during his time in Vietnam, using it to secure many of his 93 confirmed kills. Included with this magnificent rifle is a July 31, 2024, dated letter from highly regarded retired Winchester factory engraver Pauline Muerrle stating that this rifle was engraved by none other than legendary factory Master Engraver John Kusmit. She specifies that the work was done between January 14, 1952, and February 7, 1952, and took a total of 34 hours of his time in total and also confirms the engraving, gold inlays, and initials found on the rifle. The letter further states that the special B-carving was performed by Winchester checkerer Eddy Kaik, also a master of his craft. This rifle truly represents the best of the best from Winchester and is a shining example of the level of quality that can be achieved in American arms manufacturing. The rifle was built with a blued Winchester Proof Steel barrel featuring a hooded beaded blade fore sight, a filler block in the rear sight dovetail, and the standard Winchester model, caliber, and trademark information stamped on the left side ahead of the rear sight filler. The barrel displays Kusmit's stunning scroll engraving around the fore sight as well as in a 3 1/2 inch wedge at the breech. The barrel is fitted to the blued action which displays profuse highly attractive scrollwork covering nearly the entire surface and surrounding the serial number on the right of the front receiver ring as well as a masterfully flush gold inlaid bust of a bull moose on the left rear and a roaring grizzly bear on the right, both in their own oval vignettes. The engraving continues onto the bolt shroud where it surrounds the "FIRE" indicator on the safety, the straight upper tang, and the base of the Griffin & Howe side mounted scope mount which holds a Lyman All-American 4x scope in the extensively engraved mount and rings. The bolt body bears the stamped serial number as opposed to the standard electro-pencil marking and is beautifully jeweled, as is the magazine follower, and the blued bolt handle features dual panels of deep knurling on the knob separated by hash-mark engraving. The blued trigger guard and floorplate assembly are also profusely scroll engraved and feature a gold plated trigger along with a stunning oval vignette showing a flush gold inlaid buck running through a forest scene at the center of the floorplate. The rifle is fitted with an absolutely magnificent highly figured and B-pattern fleur-de-lis caved and checkered pistol grip stock with an ebony forend tip, inletted and engraved blued steel sling swivels, engraved blued action bolts, gold inlaid initials "E.V.S." in the engraved blue finished grip cap, a raised cheekpiece, and a checkered blued steel buttplate with scroll engraved borders.

Manufacturer: Winchester

Model: 70

BBL: 24 inch round

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 270 Win

Finish: blue/gold

Serial Number203021

Class: Curio & Relic Long Gun

  • Condition: Excellent, retaining 99% original lustrous blue and bright gold inlaid finishes with minor handling evidence on the metal surfaces. The stock is exceptionally fine with a few scratches, some pressure marks, a few patches of thinning varnish, and sharp checkering and carving. Mechanically excellent. The scope optics are clear. Do not miss out on this rare opportunity to own a fantastic John Kusmit master engraved and gold inlaid Model 70 representing the very best of American manufacturing!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Rock Island Auction will contact you shortly after the auction has completed. We will arrange for shipping and or pickup.

Rock Island Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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