Outstanding custom Winchester Model 61 .22 LR. Serial 130996 has a 23-inch barrel (banded front sight, stippled face). Formalities include a quarter rib rear sight (tapering base, raised stippled deck, three folding leafs with gold sighting lines) and a jeweled bolt. Metal finish is satin rust blue. ENGRAVING: Signed by Michel Courant, receiver right presents a great horned owl with a just-caught mouse while the left offers a troubled racoon. Each scene is seconded by a field of supporting scroll and framed by a flourish of gold wire. Scroll and wire continue over the balance of the receiver and additional gold accents appear on the takedown screw, guard and rib. Even the sight band is decorated. STOCK: Shaped from AA-grade English walnut, both fore and butt sport borderless checkering panels. A steel grip cap (blank initial area), checkered steel butt plate and a hand-rubbed oil finish provide the finishing touches. Work is unattributed. DIMENSIONS: Weight is 6.0 pounds and the length-of-pull is 13.65 inches. CONDITION: The bore is strong and bright. Jeweling is pristine, suggesting the rifle was never fired since the build was completed. Mechanics are solid. Metal and wood finishes each exceed 98 percent with but trace indications of handling.