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LOT 3062
Exceptional First Year Production Factory Display Alden George Ulrich Engraved and Gold Inlaid Winchester Model 61 Slide
Action Rifle with Octagon Barrel Chambered in Scarce .22 W.R.F., Factory Box and Winchester Museum Letter - Serial no. 3130,
22 WRF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, fancy walnut stock. This outstanding masterpiece was manufactured during the first year of
production (1932). This is a highly desirable and attractive Alden George Ulrich engraved and gold inlaid example of a Winchester Model 61
slide action rifle with octagon barrel chambered in scarce .22 W.R.F. caliber. The included Winchester Gun Museum letter dated 14 January
1963 states that this rifle “was made as a display for shows and exhibitions” for the Winchester factory. The letter also confirms the caliber,
Alden George Ulrich as the engraver, #6 style engraving with gold inlays and borders, gold plated trigger, and “very fancy imported walnut”
stock with first style B carving, pistol grip cap, and hand rubbed oil finish. The rifle was later sold to a Winchester representative in 1951. The rifle
is equipped with a beaded blade front sight and elevation adjustable rear sight on a barrel marked with the Model 61 legend followed by “-.22
W.R.F.-” on the upper left flat and two-line New Haven address on the upper right flat. The octagon barrel Model 61 chambered for .22 W.R.F. was
only produced between 1932 and 1946. The Winchester factory oval proof is stamped on top of the barrel and receiver at the breech. Engraved
scrollwork is found at the muzzle, breech and ahead and behind the rear sight. A single gold inlaid band is found at the muzzle and breech. The
top of the receiver has engraved scrollwork with a raised gold inlaid dog’s head in the center inside a gold inlaid circle with radiating scrolls. The
sides of the receiver are profusely engraved and have scroll engraved borders and raised gold inlaid game scene oval panels outlined in gold. The
game scenes on the receiver are the following: a big horn ram in a mountain scene on the left side and a stag in a woodland scene on the right
side. The scrollwork extends to the trigger guard, which also has a raised gold inlaid squirrel. The bolt is jeweled, and the trigger is gold plated. The
forearm and pistol grip stock, as stated, have the early first style B carving. The buttstock has a factory hard rubber grip cap and a checkered steel
flat buttplate. The factory box is number to the gun with the end label stamped in ink “SPECIAL” and “DELUXE.”
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