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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK WINCHESTER
SLIDE ACTION RIFLES: VOLUME I BY SCHWING
LOT 22
Exceptional Well-Documented Antique Winchester Model 1890 Deluxe
Casehardened Slide Action Rifle with Factory Letter as Pictured on the cover of
“Winchester Slide Action Rifles” - Serial no. 50181, 22 RF Short cal., 24 inch octagon
bbl., blue/casehardened finish, highly figured checkered walnut straight grip stock.
This rifle is pictured and identified by serial number on pages 147, 160, and 228 of
“Winchester Slide Action Rifles: Volume I” by Ned Schwing, it is also the featured rifle
on the cover of the book. According to Schwing, only 73 Deluxe Model rifles with
checkered straight grip stocks were manufactured during the casehardened Second
Model period of production. Manufactured in 1897. The accompanying factory letter
lists this rifle chambered in .22 Short and with a fancy checkered stock when received
in the warehouse on August 19, 1897 and shipped the same day. Special order Lyman
beaded blade front and unmarked elevation adjustable rear notch sights, second
style barrel inscription, “22 SHORT” caliber marking on top barrel flat at the breech,
Winchester proofs correctly absent, casehardened Second Model receiver with hidden
locking lugs, and standard three-line maker, model, and patent marking on the upper
tang. Highly figured XX fancy walnut 12 groove slide handle and deluxe checkered
straight grip stock with casehardened crescent buttplate. The left side of the lower tang
is marked “3677 XX,” and the end of the buttstock is marked with matching assembly
number “3677” over “90”. The inside of the buttplate is marked “416”.
CONDITION: Extremely fine with 85% original blue finish on the barrel and breech bolt,
slightly dented muzzle with a dark brown patina. The receiver retains 60% plus vivid
case colors with areas thinning to an attractive dove gray patina and scattered specks
of surface oxidation. The wood is excellent with attractive figure, crisp checkering, and
dark original case colors on the buttplate with mild edge wear. Mechanically excellent.
You may wait a lifetime to find another!
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000