June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/26/2018
R. G. (Bob) Owen was trained as a gunmaker in England and brought the traditions of custom gunmaking with him, and is known for his very fine traditionally styled Springfield sporters. This example has tapered round barrel having sleeved-on wide sling eye and front sight base with gold bead under original held in place by spring detent. Top of barrel is engraved "Cal .30/06 R. G. Owen - Sauquoit, N.Y. No 703". Typical Springfield action is unnumbered. Receiver ring is checkered. A G&H side scope mount and Lyman 48 receiver sight have been installed. Lyman 48 is fitted with blank slide. Staff is under trap in butt. Bolt body and extractor have been engine turned. Handle has been lowered for scope use and swept back. Knob is checkered. A checkered case hardened flag safety is added with panels engraved "READY" and "SAFE". Original bottom metal has been reworked and now has finish hinged floorplate with button release in nicely thinned and tapered trigger guard bow. Classically styled slightly marbled European walnut stock measures 13-5/8" over checkered and engraved steel buttplate with trap. (Sight staff in trap) Stock has Owen's signature arrowhead drop points, beaded shadow line right hand cheekpiece, horn forend tip, and nicely cut borderless point pattern checkering with large uncheckered diamond through forend checkering. Grip cap is of steel and there is a sling eye matching that on barrel, as well as a gold shield engraved "W.W" "U.S.A." on toe line. Lyman Alaskan 2.5X scope with crosshair and post reticle is in G&H slide and rings. Excellent condition. Metal parts retain over 95% of what appears to be original blue, silvering on sharp edges, especially on trigger guard and floorplate. Stocks retain nearly all of their original oil finish which is quite dry and a bit dull with some minor marks and a couple of heavier knocks on top of comb. Metal of buttplate is somewhat proud of wood, especially on right side and top. Bore is excellent. Action is smooth. Scope is excellent, optically clear. Weight with Scope: 8 lbs 15 oz. A plain, but very serviceable, classic custom rifle by this revered maker. From the G. Thomas Puett Collection.
Model
Bolt Rifle R.G. Owen