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LOT 50
Rare, Documented Factory Panel Scene Engraved and Gold Inlaid, Special Order Winchester Carved Wood Deluxe Model 1903 Semi-Automatic Rifle with Factory Letter as Pictured in “The Book of Winchester Engraving” by Wilson and “The Winchester Book” by Madis - Serial no. 28354, 22 Win automatic cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is a very attractive example of a special ordered, factory engraved and gold inlaid, inscribed, Winchester deluxe Model 1903 rifle with many interesting features. The included factory letter lists the serial number application on 26 July 1906 and lists the rifles configuration as a fancy pistol gripped stock with oil finish and F style carving, “$6.00 engraving” with vignette #11 substituted on the left side, gold band and scrolls on the barrel, double gold plate, a nameplate on the left side engraved “J.A. Thacker”, and Lyman leaf rear and Kings triple bead front sights when received at the warehouse on 6 September 1906 and shipped two days later in order number 65891. The letter also lists a return and repair date of 1 December 1915 with an order number of 69006. This specific rifle is pictured on p. 265 of “The Book of Winchester Engraving” by R.L. Wilson where the engraving and some of the special order features are described. The rifle is also pictured on p. 552 of “The Winchester Book” by George Madis where it is similarly described. The rifle has the standard Winchester factory oval proofs on the barrel and receiver on top at the breech. The upper left of the barrel has the two-line address and patent dates as well as the three-line model, caliber, and trademark information at the breech. There are gold bands inlaid on the barrel at the muzzle and breech accompanied by light engraving. The receiver features Winchester’s No. 8 style engraving including decorative borders and floral scroll surrounding a vignette of three rabbits in a woodland scene on the right and the No. 11 scene of two pointers on the left. Madis notes in “The Winchester Book” that the scrollwork is of Angelo Stokes’ pattern while the borders are the type usually found on Ulrich’s work, indicating that this piece may have been a collaborative effort. There is a gold plaque inlaid in the left side of the stock which has light border engraving and is inscribed “J.A. Thacker”. There are a few possibilities for the identity of Thacker in period newspapers; however, the most likely appears to be a man from Virginia listed as a merchant and farmer. The rifle is fitted with a rare and desirable, rotating King’s triple bead front sight. The rear sight is an elevation adjustable notch rear sight which appears to have replaced the Lyman rear leaf, and a Lyman peep sight is fitted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a very finely figured, checkered, F style carved forearm and pistol grip stock with a hard rubber grip cap and steel crescent buttplate which shows flourishes of scroll engraving.
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