bnice wrote on Feb 26^th, 2019 at 5:37pm:


Because the present owner's original question was whether it resembled known Stevens engraving patterns.  Consensus seems to be that there's no very close resemblance with the common Stevens patterns & styles, though the possibility of a custom order in an atypical style can't be excluded. 

No doubt there were many Australian engravers capable of doing the same work, but that's a different inquiry.  It could be pursued by looking up engravers in an Adelaide business directory of the early 20th C.   

Once again thanks all for the input. Just to make a couple of things clear. J. Talbot Lake was a noted world renowned South Australian Shooter (will post a picture of him next week) and proprietor of a well know gunsmithing shop for many, many years (up to late 50s or 60s). To go back to a previous comment by bnice, whilst there were quite a few famous local gold and silversmiths quite capable of completing this level of engraving, it is highly unlikely. Where would they get a Stevens style engraving pattern? Lake was most likely a Stevens agent here in Adelaide SA (yet to confirm) and would have ordered what he wanted. 

Trying to work this kind of stuff out makes it fun! Took the repro front off this morning and as you can all see by the photo it is a model "45".  The Ideal Range Rifle configuration fits with the style of shooting and "similar" 1885 Winchesters from the same era, club and match style shooting where the rifle was used.

arlon wrote on Mar 7^th, 2019 at 11:42pm:


Beautiful rifle you have there. 

Still state that it is unlikely to be "locally engraved", this opinion is based on over 40 years of collecting and not having seen any other "locally engraved"  firearms of this type or engraving style. Yes there are some presentation firearms that have presentation plaques on them, yes there are locally made engraved exquisite silver trophies, yes there are locally made and engraved shooting medals but guns.... no. 

Now having said this, you watch them come out of the woodwork to prove me wrong. 

From what I've seen of Stevens engraving, it's all over the place as to patterns and both light and very heavy engraving. I'm certain that Stevens used several different engravers to have their actions engraved, as it's just not one style of engraving.
I had a Stevens Walnut Hill with similar heavy engraving, but not the personalized engraving the OP's gun has.

I did some Stevens Engraving research when having my CPA Schuetzen engraved. Looked at catalogs photos etc. Friend of mine and shooter at our club, full time professional engraver, did the work, his first CPA. Paul Shuttleworth sent him a original action as reference . He has since done many rifles for CPA.

His opinion based on a lot of firearm engraving experience was the guns were engraved to order. Buyer would probably specify from fairly standard designs that could be altered to suit.  Either what he wanted done or more likely how much he wanted to spend. Probably a mix of in house and contracted outside engravers.

Boats