Spectacular Winchester Model 1894 Deluxe Special Order Rifle
serial #223189, 32 WS, 26" octagon barrel with full magazine and a mint bore. In addition to being a virtually mint 1904 production full deluxe 1894 rifle, this rifle letters as being shipped with no sights and no sight seats and is equipped with a period Stevens No. 540 20x telescopic sight mounted in original Stevens offset scope mounts. This rifle features an extra set of mounting holes drilled at the exact center point between the current mounts which is where Stevens placed mounts for their shorter sporting scopes. These holes are filled with beautiful period low profile round head filler screws which look to have been in place since the scope was originally mounted. Based upon the condition of this rifle, its lack of sight provisions and its being set up for using both types of Stevens scopes, we feel it is quite probable that this rifle was purchased and used by Stevens as a salesman sample showing both mounting systems and how their scopes would work with the top ejecting model 1894 rifle. The Stevens rifle telescopes catalog which dates to 1903 or 1904 shows line drawings of Winchester 1894 deluxe rifles equipped with Stevens scopes. As previously mentioned the condition of this rifle is impeccable, the barrel and magazine retaining 98-99% strong original blue finish. The action retains 98-99% original blue finish with subtle striations showing a smooth beautiful brown patina. Fire blue on loading gate is 98% and case color on hammer and lever remains rich and vivid. The Stevens scope retains 98% of its original blue finish and is complete with its japanned brass threaded lens covers. The checkered pistol grip walnut buttstock and forend are of beautifully figured American walnut and retain 98% of their original finish with a little extremely fine crazing evident which does nothing more than reinforce this rifle's honesty and originality. There is a tiny chip on the left side of the stock at action next to hammer. The buttplate retains 95% of its original color case-hardened finish and all screw heads remain clean and unmaligned. Whether this was a factory sample, or simply a rifle ordered by a wealthy individual is of little consequence, as this rifle stands tall on its own merits. A top shelf, investment grade 1894 rifle worthy of the finest Winchester collection. (2328-3) {C&R} (15,000/25,000) SOLD FOR $48,875.00 |
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