1026

Extremely Rare One of Only Five Produced, Deluxe Factory Panel Scene Engraved Winchester Model 1887

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:35,000.00 - 55,000.00 USD
Extremely Rare One of Only Five Produced, Deluxe Factory Panel Scene Engraved Winchester Model 1887
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Estimate: $35000 - 55000
Manufacturer: Winchester Model: 1887
This is an extremely rare and fine Factory Ulrich Engraved Deluxe Winchester Model 1887 Lever-Action Shotgun that is documented with a Cody Firearms Museum letter. The letter describes this shotgun as 12 gauge with a 30-inch, "fine Damascus barrel, fancy checkered stock", rubber buttplate and $10.00 engraving and states that it was shipped from Winchester on March 26, 1888. The letter states that the shotgun was returned to Winchester on several occasions between 1892 and 1901 and had $5.00 (added) engraving on April 17, 1901. (Writer believes all of the aforementioned details point to this being a factory display sample.) Winchester records indicate that only five Model 1887 shotguns were factory engraved. The shotgun is also pictured and documented in Ronald W. Stadt's book "WINCHESTER SHOTGUNS AND SHOTSHELLS" (pages 14-15). Stadt observes that the shotgun is "a truly remarkable piece, stunningly artistic by any standard" and states, "It is likely the most ornate Model 1887 extant.". The shotgun has a 30 inch Damascus barrel with a brass bead. The five-shot magazine has a commercial blue finish. The receiver and lever are color casehardened. The stock and forearm panels are highly figured fancy grain walnut with a high polish piano finish. The distinctive two-piece forearm has two diamond-shaped checkered panels on either side and the stock has checkered panels on the pistol grip and a black checkered hard rubber buttplate with the round Winchester logo in the center. The left side of the receiver is roll-stamped with the "WRA Co" monogram. The serial number "6728" is stamped on the underside of the receiver ahead of the lever cut-out. The underside of the lower tang is roll-stamped "MANUFACTURED BY THE/WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO./>NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A.</PAT. FEB 16. & JUL. 20. 1886." The right side of the receiver features a round engraved panel surrounding an upland game panel scene with a hunter, a dog on point and flushed game birds. The left side of the receiver is engraved with fine English style scrollwork surrounding the "WRA Co" monogram. The game scene and the monogram as well as the edges of the receiver have ribbon engraved borders. The delicate scrollwork covers the top of the receiver and breechblock, the upper tang, the sides and bottom of the lever and the underside of the receiver.
BBL: 30 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 12
Finish: casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 6728
Condition:
Extremely fine. The shotgun is completely original and retains 80% of the blue finish and 40% of the casehardened finish. The barrel has most of the damascus pattern visible; wear is limited to a small area of light pitting on the left side of the barrel just in front of the receiver and several very light scratches on the left side of the barrel. The bottom of the magazine tube shows handling wear and retains about 80% of the blue finish. The casehardened receiver, breechblock and lever have a silver tone caused by the high nickel content of the frame but retain strong case colors with some thinning on the contact points. The impeccably executed engraving is crisp. There are some very small patches of light pitting along the edge of the receiver. The forearm is very good with some minor finish loss near the receiver and some flattening on the checkered panels nearest the receiver. The stock is excellent with sharp checkering; nearly all of the high polish piano finish remains intact. This is an extremely rare example of a Deluxe Factory Engraved Winchester Model 1887 Shotgun with Damascus barrel and checkered fancy grain stock and forearm. One will look a lifetime to find a better factory engraved model 1887!