Another by one of the more lesser known smiths John Hutton. His 15 Minutes of fame was being pictured on the cover of the January 1939 issue of the American Rifleman. Hutton worked for Griffin and Howe for some time, then for Whelens national Target and Supply. There is a thread here that has a really neat shortened model 70 in Hornet that was also done by Hutton.

The below rifle was built on a NRA sporter barreled action. It has a Noske scope in Neidner mount. Engraving is not signed, but several who know engraving much better than I have opined that it is Kornbrath, but you know how that is. If he cut all the engraving he was credited with, he was one busy man.
Much of the Hutton work I have seen, which admittedly is not a lot, has been very similar. This rifles does have a Schnabel forend which is the only one I have seen with that feature, but other than that and the checkering is very similar to other Hutton rifles. Speaking of the checkering, it is about the only thing I don't really care for on this rifle. If I were the customer I would have specified Hutton's usual point pattern.

I do not have a picture of it, but all the Hutton rifles have his name stamped in the inletting. This one is on the flat behind the recoil lug.

Michael Petrov has a chapter on Hutton in the second volume of his book. If you look at the pictures of his rifle you can see the similarity in styling to the one below.

Regards,
John

What a beauty John!

Lovely rifle, beautiful engraving. Appears one of the few who also sculpted the trigger guard. Springfields do make nice hunting rifles when dressed up.

A very beautiful rifle.
The scope is mounted very far forward, is it an extended eye-relief model?
And has most of the peep sight been removed to make room for it?

quote:

Originally posted by Peter Connan:
A very beautiful rifle.
The scope is mounted very far forward, is it an extended eye-relief model?
And has most of the peep sight been removed to make room for it?

I wouldn't call it extended, I'd say it has a generous eye relief window. The scope was so mounted to be able to mount it low and not have to alter the bolt handle. When I shoulder the rifle I can see the full field of view.

The sight base has a blank slide installed. They were available from Lyman and were intended to fill the space when the sight is removed.

John

Fine quality rifle, John. The only Hutton I've seen at my bench was also a quality rifle with later, lesser alterations. This one looks to have a quarter-sawn stock with nicely subdued fiddleback. I like the cheek piece bead as well. Matter of fact, I like nearly everything about it!

This a M-54 Hutton with altered bolt handle. Also 1/4 sawn with fiddleback.

Would like to see Mr. Hutton's inlet work on this rifle if possible.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim@IMReps:
Would like to see Mr. Hutton's inlet work on this rifle if possible.

I'll see what I can do.

John

I love those red stocks. Must have used alkanet root, no? So classic!

But I never did like the looks of a scope on a Springfield sporter.

I would have done as Hemingway did and ditched the scope. The Lyman aperture rear just looks right on that rifle and functions well.

Lovely beaded and shadowlined G&H cheekpiece, too.

Thanks for posting.

quote:

Originally posted by gasgunner:

quote:

Originally posted by Peter Connan:
A very beautiful rifle.
The scope is mounted very far forward, is it an extended eye-relief model?
And has most of the peep sight been removed to make room for it?

I wouldn't call it extended, I'd say it has a generous eye relief window. The scope was so mounted to be able to mount it low and not have to alter the bolt handle. When I shoulder the rifle I can see the full field of view.

The sight base has a blank slide installed. They were available from Lyman and were intended to fill the space when the sight is removed.

John

Thanks John

quote:

Originally posted by Jim@IMReps:
Would like to see Mr. Hutton's inlet work on this rifle if possible.

He was a master of his craft. Sorry about the picture quality. Just quick cell phone pictures.