This one-of-a-kind rifle features Winchester No. 4 engraving with gold inlaid bands on the receiver and barrel and Winchester Style D carved and checkered fancy grade walnut stock and forearm. The engraving was probably executed by master engraver John Ulrich. It features an animal scene with a hunter and two bull elk on the left side of the receiver and a grizzly bear on the right side of the receiver. This exact engraving and stock carving are illustrated and described in the 1897 edition of "Winchester Repeating Arms Co. Highly Finished Arms" reproduced on page 224 of "Winchester Engraving" by R.L. Wilson. The 1973 dated Winchester Museum letter describes "Winchester Model 94, serial number 29262" as "Rifle, caliber 30,, 1/2 octagon barrel, set trigger, 1/2 magazine. Takedown. Fancy pistol grip stock carved style "D". Engraved and gilt (?) Matted barrel. Gold plated finger lever, hammer, trigger and tip. Swiss buttplate. Lyman rear sight cup disc and Lyman front sights. Shipped July 22, 1898, no other information listed". This fancy sporting takedown rifle features an off-set mounted telescopic sight with blued 18 1/2-inch tube and nickel-plated eyepiece. The maker's name: "JOHN W. SIDLE/PHILA./PA 440" is roll-stamped on the left side of the tube ahead of the eyepiece. The scope tube has an external elevation adjustment on the rear mount. The mounts, base and rings are undoubtedly factory engraved with scrollwork and zig-zag patterns that generally match the engraving on the receiver. The rifle has a 1/2 octagon barrel and 1/2 magazine. The barrel has a matted top and is fitted with a Lyman folding combination front sight and a "Winchester Express" rear sight with three folding leaves with platinum sight lines. A Lyman folding combination sight with disk and short knurled stem is mounted on the receiver tang. The receiver has a Winchester adjustable, close coupled double set trigger. In addition to the oak leaf/acorn relief carvings and checkered panels, the stock is fitted with a special order, gold-washed, brass Swiss buttplate. The pistol grip has a black hard rubber buttcap embossed "WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS". The barrel, magazine, receiver and bolt are blued. The forearm cap, hammer, triggers, lever and Swiss buttplate have a gold-washed finish. The highly figured, deluxe, fancy grade walnut stock and forearm have a high gloss piano finish. The left side of the barrel flat is engraved with the legend: "-MANUFACTURED BY THE-/-WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A." ahead of the rear sight. The caliber designation: "30 W.C.F." located on the left barrel flat in an engraved panel. The serial number, "29262", is engraved across the forward edge of the receiver bottom. This rifle is almost certainly has more special order features than any other Model 1894 rifle ever manufactured. The addition of a telescopic sight in addition to the No. 4 factory engraving and gold inlays, Style D relief carved stock and forearm Swiss buttplate, matted barrel, double set triggers and other rare special order features make this a one-of-a kind Winchester Model 1894 rifle.
Extremely fine. This rifle retains 85% plus of the original blue finish overall on the barrel, magazine and receiver and 50% of the factory gold trim overall. The highly detailed game scenes on the receiver sides and the arabesque scrolls, fancy border and line work on the receiver, barrel, forearm cap, hammer and lever are crisp. The delicate gold-wash finish on the forearm cap, hammer, set triggers, lever and Swiss buttplate shows wear and about 30% remains. The telescopic sight and mounts retain 80% of the blue finish. The telescopic sight optics are cloudy. The highly figured, fancy grain, walnut stock and forearm retain more than 85% of the original piano finish. The relief carved oak leaf and acorn motifs and fine checkering are sharp. Wear is limited to several minor dents and scratches concentrated primarily on the right side of the forearm. This deluxe Model 1894 takedown rifle is superb example of the numerous special order features and finishes available on turn-of-the-century Winchester rifles. The variety of special order features and finishes, in combination with the telescopic sight, make this a truly one-of-a-kind Model 1894 rifle that would be a centerpiece of any collection of deluxe Winchester lever action rifles.
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