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and “The Book of Winchester Engraving.” These vignettes of large American game stand
as a tribute to the legendary Model 1873 that brought firepower to the open frontier to earn the title “The Gun that Won the West.” The rifle has the look of a gun that is not hard to imagine in the hands of a flamboyant rancher or railroad tycoon forging his fortune out west. The dust cover, cartridge elevator, forend cap, magazine band, and buttplate tang are engraved to match. The breech and muzzle ends of the barrel are decorated with scrollwork and silver and gold inlaid bands, as noted in the factory letter. The barrel also has the two-line Winchester address/King’s patent dates legend on the top flat ahead of the rear sight and is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and elevation adjustable rear sight. The serial number is on the lower tang, and the upper tang has the standard model marking. The rifle correctly lacks a caliber designation.
The gold plated receiver is elaborately decorated with factory floral scrollwork and game scenes. Circular vignettes of a buffalo and moose are engraved on either side of the receiver at the front. Each side plate carries a relief engraved vignette of a majestic elk. Although this masterpiece lacks a signature, the engraving has all the opulence of being embellished by a member of renowned Ulrich family. Similar game scenes appear on lever actions signed by various Ulrichs as documented in R.L. Wilson’s “Winchester Engraving”