The accompanying factory letter lists this rifle with a 30 inch octagon barrel in .38-55 caliber, Schuetzen set trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, mid-range and windgauge sights (no rear seat), Helm buttplate and Dutch cheekpiece when shipped on March 24, 1898. The factory records list a repair and return date of June 25, 1902. This rifle is pictured in John Campbell's "The Winchester Single-Shot" on page 134. Full octagon #3 weight barrel with two-line Winchester marking on the top flat and "38-55" over the chamber. Front sight is a Winchester windgauge spirit level. Rear is a mid-range Vernier tang sight. There are no holes drilled/tapped for scope target blocks. The pistol grip action is paneled, has a round top, leaf spring, double set triggers, and one piece Schuetzen spur lever with some engraving. The buttstock is the factory extra fancy walnut Schuetzen helm style with a blued steel hooked butt plate, shadow line cheekpiece, checkered pistol grip and a hard rubber Winchester motif grip cap. Forearm is matching walnut with standard checkering pattern, ebony inlay in schnabel tip, Winchester tuning fork palm rest with inletted base. The shooting kit is a black Moroccan leather covered hard case (3x8x16 inches) with a leather luggage carrying handle and purple lining. Contents are an ideal style breech seating tool, Ideal nickeled flask, nickeled Ideal re/decapper, tin oiler, small round tin can of felt wads, tin of Winchester #2-1/2 primers (unopened). Box of 25 each Winchester 38-55 primed shells (unopened), 6 boxes (25 each) of paper patched 38 cal 255 gr target bullets. The label is marked as made for the Ballard rifle by the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. Single cavity 38 cal bullet mold. Also comes with "Major Ned H. Roberts and the Schuetzen rifle" edited by Gerald Kelver.

Excellent plus with 99% original blue on the barrel, 99% vivid case color with lacquer finish. The stock and forearm are also in excellent condition. Shooting kit accessories are mostly as new, unused condition. An extremely rare Helm Schuetzen rifle with casehardened action (made only for 2-1/2 years) from the Watertown, N.Y. area and in near new, unused condition. Factory original and unaltered.