4140

EXTREMELY RARE "EXHIBITION" DELUXE WINCHESTER

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
EXTREMELY RARE  EXHIBITION  DELUXE WINCHESTER
MODEL 1895 RIFLE FROM THE JOHN OLIN COLLECTION WITH MATTED BARREL AND ENGLISH WALNUT STOCKS. Cal. 30 U.S. (30-40 Krag). S# 61549. Mfg. 1908. Full matted 28" tapered rnd. bbl. is fitted with semi-buckhorn rear sight and pedestal mounted German silver blade front. Bbl., cal. and Winchester proof marks are offset to the left to accommodate barrel matting. Rear of barrel is also stamped with London nitro proofs. Blued action has Winchester markings on left side. Straight grip buttstock appears to be of well marbled and nicely figured European walnut and measures 13 1/4" over solid red "Winchester" pad. "Deluxe" style point pattern checkering wraps under grip. Matching schnabel forend has inlet hard rubber tip. Sling eyes are dovetailed through bottom of barrel and on toeline of stock. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Cody Firearms Museum letter which states: "This is to certify that this Winchester Model 1895 Exhibition Sporting Rifle serial number 61549 was originally the property of John M. Olin." The letter goes on to state that this was one of a group of rifles transferred to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center by Mr. Olin's executives with the provision that they would retain those needed in the collection that the remainder could be disposed of. The resultant proceeds accruing to the "building fund". It appears that this rifle was one of the items "disposed of". CONDITION: very fine. Barrel retaining approx. 95% of what appears to be original blue with a few scattered light marks. Action shows some high edge wear and a large spot of flaking on right side as well as a few scattered scratches on left. Stocks retain nearly all of their original varnish finish with a scattering of marks most notable on right side of butt, which also has remnants of adhesive from an old tag. Left side of forend has four or five fairly deep vertical dents. Checkering lightly worn and dirty. Sharp shiny bore, mechanically fine. This unusual Winchester appears to have been produced especially for the English market or as Cody records indicate, that this was an "exhibition" rifle possibly made for display at one of the British exhibitions of industry and trade held during the pre WWI era. (21-893/MGM). CURIO. $10,000-15,000.