Possibly Elmer Spicer. The date seems well placed. He was an excellent craftsman and had a penchant for Winchester SS rifles. Unfortunately he passed several years ago and there is no way to determine if that's his mark or not. I made his acquaintance much too late. He was a wonderfully giving and kind man and a fine craftsman.

I would like to ask Stevens52 if he knows from what region Elmer Spicer lived/worked? I bought the rifle at Jaquas in Findlay, OH.

Here are photos of the rifle. Very nicely done. I did not notice til now how the grain in the butt almost perfectly follows the lines of the shadow line cheek piece. My significant other was with me when I was drooling and fondling this piece. I asked what she thought about it and said it's beautiful, it's only money and you can't take it with you. How great is that? Think she was a little jealous though Just to add to the pleasure of owning this rifle, it shoots great with the new Hornady 30 gr. and Remington 33 gr. loads.
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I can only assume that the 77 is the year. The vintage of the scope is kinda what I was going by. Who ever had the work done or bought it after the build must have just got it out once in a while to look at. As you noted there is not really a mark on it. I was hoping that maybe some other shooters might have some work with the same benchmark. I am truly lucky to have found it and have a very understanding woman that just laughs when I put on my sad puppy dog face when I find something that should follow me home.