In terms of pre-64 Winchester FACTORY M70 engraving, as far as I know there were only three possible engravers.  Alden George Ulrich (chief engraver from 1925 until his stroke in 1949), John Kusmit (George's apprentice and successor), and Nick Kusimt (who apprenticed under John)...  Of those, Ulrich and JK are known engravers of pre-64 M70s.  For example, Ulrich did the RCS (Russell C Smith) "Grail Guns" we wrote about in the Spring 2025 Collector magazine.  He also did the two (R&R) Model 70s in the current RIA Premier auction.  I checked with Pauline (whose letter is used as authentication) and she did write it...

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4097/3579/factory-ulrich-engraved-special-order-winchester-model-70-rifle

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4097/3580/factory-ulrich-engraved-special-order-winchester-model-70-rifle

JK also did some M70s, most notably the famous JFK rifle (s/n 500,000) that belongs to (and in) CFM, but some others as well.  This rifle (one of my Dad's) was engraved by JK (according to Pauline).  It's the number 70-5 pattern only with a gold ram on the floor plate instead of the usual 70-5 scroll.  IMHO (and Pauline's according to the letter she wrote for me) it was definitely an outside job (not a factory special order), but it is an example of JK's ordinary low cost engraving...  The JFK gun, which is done in a deeper relief like Ulrich's style, is much closer to being in Ulrich's league than my gun...

Martin's work (on his worst day, if he has any bad days) makes this gun look amateurish.  But for my taste, I do like Ullrich's work...

Just my opinion,

Lou

That Giovanelli rifle is pretty darn sharp though with a great inlay.  I plan on being at the Greeley show next week  I anyone is around stop and say hello. I have a 1876 I just finished.

Zebulon said
Apparently,  Gemini is full of prunes. Buck, with all due respect, I think Grok is full of something worse. I'm no expert on engraving but, if the OP's rifle was engraved by Ulrich, then I'm Shirley Temple. 
I'm familiar with Martin's portfolio and reputation and I'll take his word on the subject. 
As I warned earlier, Gemini is frequently wrong but never in doubt. However, it was a starting point. 
(Lou, I do not disagree with you.)
  

Hi Zeb, I don’t disagree at all. Grok is wrong a lot but I did find it interesting that it agreed with Gemini that the style was most likely Germanic. It also stated that it was likely the result of the Custom shop which is possible I guess? Martin certainly knows engraving though and I wouldn’t like my odds disagreeing with him any more than I would arguing Winchester history with Bert! 😳 Both would end badly for me! 

Mike

Bill Hanzel said
Lou, thank you for posting that link!
Mr. Rabeno that is some absolutely beautiful artwork! The bear and moose receiver is some of the nicest art I have ever seen, that fact that it’s engraved on a firearm and fully visible to enjoy, is truly wonderful. 
  

I agree that is one beautiful rifle and I would wager expensive! The engraving looks a lot like the Giovanelli master pieces on some of the Commemoratives like this 25th anniversary one shown below Martin’s Centennial master piece! Thank you for sharing and appreciate getting to see Martin’s amazing work and agree he is in a different league!

I'm familiar with Martin's portfolio and reputation and I'll take his word on the subject. 

As I warned earlier, Gemini is frequently wrong but never in doubt. However, it was a starting point. 

(Lou, I do not disagree with you.)

Mr. Rabeno that is some absolutely beautiful artwork! The bear and moose receiver is some of the nicest art I have ever seen, that fact that it’s engraved on a firearm and fully visible to enjoy, is truly wonderful. 

This is a factory-engraved Winchester Model 70 bolt-action rifle with Ulrich-family engraving (likely George Ulrich, the last of the family to work at Winchester). 

Your photos show the distinctive bold Germanic/American scroll engraving (dense acanthus-style vines on a punch-dot/stippled background) covering the receiver, with an oval medallion game scene of a bear—classic Ulrich patterns that span from 19th-century lever guns into 20th-century bolt actions. The extensive coverage on the receiver sides, tangs, and other metal parts matches documented factory special-order or exhibition-grade Model 70s. 

Key Confirmation Points from Photos:

•  Action details: The close-up reveals the bolt-action mechanism (bolt components visible when open), consistent with the Model 70 introduced in 1936. The spherical/knobbed bolt handle and internal parts align once you account for the angle and engraving obscuring typical outlines.

•  “FIRE” marking: This appears on a visible internal component (common in Winchester actions for safety/position indicators).

•  Engraving style: Identical to Ulrich work on both early lever-actions and later Model 70s—flowing scrolls + animal vignettes (bears were popular motifs). George Ulrich (active ~1919–1949) continued the family tradition on pre-’64 Model 70s, often for special orders. 

Factory-engraved Model 70s are much rarer than their lever-action counterparts. Most were custom shop or special-order pieces with light-to-full scroll and game scenes. Examples include documented George Ulrich rifles with bear/deer motifs, some with gold inlays on premium Super Grade or exhibition variants. 

Why It Feels Unique

You’re right—the full-coverage style with a prominent bear panel is uncommon even among engraved Model 70s (many have lighter border scrolls or smaller floorplate scenes). This level suggests a high-grade special order, possibly influenced by earlier Ulrich patterns from the 1866/1873 era. 

To identify precisely:

•  Share the serial number (on the receiver ring, right side forward of the ejection port).

•  Barrel markings (caliber, “Winchester” address, proof marks).

•  Any engraver initials (tiny “G.U.” or similar hidden in scrolls) or factory order notations.

•  A Cody Firearms Museum factory letter would confirm original engraving details and cost.

This is a standout collector piece—pre-’64 Model 70s with documented Ulrich engraving command strong premiums at auction. More photos (left receiver side, floorplate, bolt, full stock) or the serial would let us match it to known examples. Beautiful rifle!

Louis Luttrell said
For Bob...
http://fega.com/memberwebpages/masterdetail.asp?recidparam=430
Martin is in a TOTALLY different league than whomever scratched up that poor M70 back in the day...
Just my take...
Lou
  

I think it looks amazing! A lot of Winchester engraving you have to squint to see 👀 but not this one! I have never seen Martin’s work so maybe it pales in comparison but I’ve seen and own a lot of Engraved Winchester albeit 94’s and this one is pretty impressive in my humble opinion.

http://fega.com/memberwebpages/masterdetail.asp?recidparam=430

Martin is in a TOTALLY different league than whomever scratched up that poor M70 back in the day...

Just my take...

Lou

Bo Rich said
I agree with Zebulon.  The thing to remember is that the dollar was strong against the German  mark.  So, a service man could of got some nice engraving at a good discount.
  

Concur, Bo. I was born too late.  By the Eighties, West Germany had become an economic powerhouse and the exchange rate flipped. The deutschmark was worth a buck twenty-five for a while I remember going over there in '83 and getting scalped.