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LOT 1023
Rare Documented Antique Factory Game Panel Scene Engraved, J. Ulrich Signed, Presentation Inscribed Winchester Deluxe Model 1892 Lever Action Takedown Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 44168, 44-40 WCF cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This beautiful antique factory engraved and inscribed Winchester Model 1892 takedown embellished by celebrated
Winchester factory Master Engraver John Ulrich, who has signed his masterpiece on the lower tang, and is a rarity in lever action collecting with highly desirable special order features. As confirmed in the included factory letter, the rifle has a round barrel in .44 caliber, plain trigger,
checkered pistol grip stock, takedown configuration, and factory engraving with “Frances Stone from A.W.H.” inscription at an extra cost of $5.00 when received in the warehouse on May 16, 1895 and shipped the next day on order number 11541. Legendary Winchester expert and author George Madis calculated that 1 of each 900 Model 1892s were engraved or inscribed, 1 of each 600 guns had special wood, 1 of each 700 had pistol grips, and 1 of each 800 had checkering or carving (“The Winchester Book,” page 401). “When you consider the comparative rarity of many Winchesters,” wrote Madis, “it is not surprising that all Winchesters are so eagerly collected.” This documented factory engraved
example is certainly worthy of the finest collection and ranks as one of the finest antique factory engraved deluxe variations we have had the pleasure of cataloging. It is a must have for the serious Winchester collector!
The Model 1892 was designed as the successor to the Model 1873 and was incredibly popular in the American West due to its variety of shared calibers with the Colt Single Action Army revolver. “Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms” pointed out, “The ‘92 was so well made,
functional, and attractive that many specimens still do service today in the hands of hunters and shooters.” Any Model 1892 with special order features are rare as customers were not inclined to spend extra money on a “working gun.” It is not often that we catalog deluxe engraved examples,
especially in high condition such as offered here. The J. Ulrich signed receiver is decorated with factory scrollwork and borders along with a game scene vignette on the left side. The game scene depicts a buck in a wooded scene. The “Frances Stone/from AWH” inscription is engraved on a silver accent on the
right side of the receiver above the loading gate. “J. ULRICH” stamped signature appears on the bottom tang, rear of trigger. At the time of this writing Frances Stone remains unidentified. The forend cap, takedown collar and buttplate tang are engraved to match. The barrel is fitted with a combination Beach front sight and an elevation
adjustable rear sight and is marked with the two-line address ahead of the rear sight and “44 W.C.F.” at the breech. The upper tang has the three-line model/patent date marking. The checkered forearm and pistol grip stock are deluxe XXX walnut. The buttstock is fitted with a Winchester hard rubber grip cap. The left side of the lower tang is marked “1911 XXX.” The assembly number “1911” also appears on the stock inlet and buttplate.