R.G. Owen .256 Newton – CUSTOM SPRINGFIELD, GOLD INLAYS

What a treasure we have here; a R.G. Owen custom Springfield rifle in .256 Newton, a hotrod cartridge developed in 1913 using the .30-06 case necked down to .264 caliber, or 6.5mm.  This cartridge pushes a 120-grain bullet over 3100 fps with great accuracy.  This rifle, likely built post WWII in Clinton Ohio, is profusely engraved with deeply chiseled elegant banknote scroll with stippled shadowed background that fully covers the action including all small parts, 6” of the barrel at the breech, 4” of the barrel at the muzzle, all superbly cut to the highest level of the art.  The bottom metal is fully engraved and has 3 heavy raised gold inlays, a moose head, full bodied antelope, and a canine on the trigger guard.  The workmanship is impeccable.  The family that owned the rifle for decades believe Alvin White did the gold inlays, but there is no signature that I could detect anywhere on the gun.  The quality is evident in the photos.  The bottom plate has a unique release mechanism, the bolt and magazine follower are jeweled, the crisp trigger is checkered, the bolt handle is checkered showing no wear.  The medium contour 22” barrel retains 99% of the maker’s blue, as does all the metal on the gun.  The bore is a perfect 10 out of 10, with no handling marks on the rifle.  It has likely never been used in the field or woods.  The wood is a nicely figure Euro walnut with shadow cheek piece and flutes at the comb that show the R.G. Owen characteristics, including the horn forend tip.  The wrap around checkering is as new, the butt terminates in a Niedner checkered steel buttplate with widow’s peak at the heel.  The rifle is mounted with a Paul Jaeger detachable scope mount (returns to zero when removing and reinstalling the scope) that is fully engraved in the same hand as the rifle.  Mounted in the 7/8” rings is a vintage Leupold & Stevens 2 1/4x Plainsman scope in the same 99% condition as the rifle and clear, sharp optics.  This collector scope includes the companion Leupold 8x magnifier making for a versatile close range/long range optic that matches the vintage rifle.  The scope is worth $600 on the collector market.  Owen rifles are coveted and were all made to British “BEST” quality and all known to be accurate shooters.  What a beautiful, early custom rifle adorned with the best quality, profuse engraving.  The rifle weighs 8 1/4lbs. with the scope.  The .256 Newton is easy to handload, and there are custom ammo makers that will build loads for your specific rifle with bullets of your choice and provide you a lifetime source for accurate ammunition.  From antelope to whitetails, coyote to mule deer, what a rifle to take game with and honor one of America’s renowned custom rifle makers.  Rare rifles like this one will always be a good investment and a serious addition to any quality collection.  Thanks for looking!