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Documented Extraordinary Exhibition Grade Angelo Stokes Signed Factory Engraved Deluxe Winchester Mo

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:60,000.00 USD Estimated At:125,000.00 - 175,000.00 USD
Documented Extraordinary Exhibition Grade Angelo Stokes Signed Factory Engraved Deluxe Winchester Mo
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Documented Extraordinary Exhibition Grade Angelo Stokes Signed Factory Engraved Deluxe Winchester Model 1907 Semi-Automatic Rifle with Gold/Platinum Inlaid Game Scenes and Relief Carved Wood

This is an exceptionally rare, all original deluxe exhibition grade factory engraved Winchester Model 1907, semi-automatic rifle that has been completely embellished by one of the most sought after Winchester factory engravers; Angelo Stokes who was know for his meticulous, highly detailed work. The Winchester factory records, note that several members of the stokes family worked for the Winchester factory CA.,1887-1922, with Angelo Stokes initial appearance in 1905. This exceptionally well engraved rifle is pictured on the top and bottom of page 279 of "The Book Of Winchester Engraving" by Wilson and has been signed by "Angelo Stokes" on the back side of the trigger guard with a extremely small "AS" initials. The engraving covers 95% of the action itself with both sides of the receiver and top, depicting an exceptionally well done and highly detailed game scene in a paneled motif with English scroll engraving around the outside edges of the panel scene with a silver engraved line around the edge of the receiver. The left side depicts a "Gold Inlaid" standing "Bull Moose" in a marsh scene with a "Gold Inlaid" standing "Bull Elk" in the same type of marsh scene on the right side. The back ground of both marsh scenes has been highly detailed to show reeds and grasses in the foreground with mountains in the back ground. The entire panel scene has a rough surface (not a punch dot) background. The top of the receiver has also been beautifully engraved with a matching engraved "Bobcat" inside a oval panel scene with the same platinum inlaid border around the scene as the side panels scenes. Also note (and not shown in the referenced book) is that the muzzle and breech end of the barrel, the forend cap, and lower receiver (underside of the actions) has also been highly engraved in a matching extremely fine English scroll engraving. In addition the muzzle and breech end of the barrel has also been inlayed with a single silver barrel band that matches the border around the edges of the receiver. This fabulous rifle has been stocked in a matching, highly figured 3X extra fancy walnut stock and forend that has also been hand carved in a superb and highly desirable Winchester "Factory A" pattern on both sides of the pistol grip and the sides and under side of the forend. This beautiful "Factory A" pattern carving is the highest and most intricate carving offered by the Winchester factory, that is as equally rare if not more so than the exquisite engraving that it compliments. This carving starts out with a large Heart that has three leaves inside the heart with berries surrounding the leaves, that is followed by a large flowing vine pattern, all intermingled inside the border areas. The pistol grip has also been capped with a hard-rubber Winchester grip cap and directly behind the pistol grip it is stamped "17447". The rifle itself was intended to be Winchester's new design offered in 1907. They were a fast handling semi-automatic rifles firing the high power cartridge "351 Self Loading" cartridge that became the favorites of many state and local police agencies. They were made from 1907 to 1937 and was a vast improvement over the Model 1905 rifle. The barrel is marked with the three-line, one-block Winchester factory address and patent dates that end in "06. followed by ".351 Cal." The left rear end of the barrel is also stamped with "NICKEL STEEL BARREL/ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER". In addition this exquisite rifle also has "British Proofs" on the left rear side of the barrel directly below the barrel markings. These proof consist of the "Standing Lion/intertwined LP" for the London Proof House, next to the "Crown/V and Crown/G" proofs. Above these proofs it has a "Crown/GP" final proof and "351". Then directly at the junction of the forend line and barrel is stamped with the later "NP" proof for smokeless powder and what appears to be "CORDITE/the dram weight of the powder charge". The barrel is fitted with the standard half-nickel front sight with the adjustable sporting rear sight. This fantastic rifle is complete with two magazines, one five round and one ten round extended magazine.

Manufacture: Winchester
Model: 1907
BBL:
Stock: deluxe fancy walnut relief carved
Gauge: 351 SL
Finish: blue/gold/platinum inlaid
Grips:
Serial Number: 16651

Excellent plus, with 99% of the original Winchester factory blue finish with all the platinum and gold inlays intact. The carved, extra fancy stock and forend are also both in exceptional condition with only a couple of very minor handing marks/very minute scratches with the carving all intact, highly detailed and exceptionally well done. A fabulous presentation grade rifle embellished by one of the more desirable Winchester engravers. Certainly for the super advanced high end Winchester collector. This is undoubtedly the finest example of this type we have ever offered at auction!