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March 31, 2009
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Here’s a pretty one.
I just emailed Sornberger to see what he has to say.
March 20, 2009
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Certainly from the standpoint of collectibility and originality the rifle is going to not be one of interest for most Winchester collectors. But there certainly is a market out there for nicely done “altered” rifles. My only complaint on this one is that the engraver got a bit carried away and it would have been better without ALL of the embellishments. The gold tipped magazine cap and the engraved magazines hangers and barrel end could have left off and it would be nicer in my opinion.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
November 7, 2015
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I’ve gotta admit I like it but I’ll always enjoy free eye candy. From what I can tell it’s very good work and IMHO not overly embellished. I’d never be a buyer, though, even at this price which is probably well under what it would cost to do the custom work today.
Mike
March 31, 2009
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twobit said
Certainly from the standpoint of collectibility and originality the rifle is going to not be one of interest for most Winchester collectors. But there certainly is a market out there for nicely done “altered” rifles. My only complaint on this one is that the engraver got a bit carried away and it would have been better without ALL of the embellishments. The gold tipped magazine cap and the engraved magazines hangers and barrel end could have left off and it would be nicer in my opinion.Michael
I have know the engraver Jim Sornberger, for over 30 years. He embellished the gun the way the owner wanted it. From what he told me this owner had over 500 engraved guns. Many by my friend and some by Angelo Bee. There was another engraver but I forget his name. Jim told me that this gun has over $2,500 of gold on it. He explained to me that he engraves the scenes then he pushes the gold into the engraving. The engraving is done in a way that there is an under cut along the edges to hold the gold in.
With all of this said I wouldn’t buy it.
https://blademag.com/blade-show/cutlery-hall-of-fame/keeslar-and-sornberger-join-cutlery-hall-of-fame You have to scroll down through all of the adds to read the full article.
