This is an extremely rare deluxe factory engraved, nickel/gold-plated Second Model Winchester Model 1890 slide action rifle that was manufactured in 1897. The accompanying factory letter confirms the caliber as .22 short, checkered pistol grip stock, factory engraving and gold and nickel plating. The rifle was received in the warehouse on February 20, 1897, and shipped on February 22. The letter lists several "repaired and returned dates," which are 9-13-97, 1-6-98, 3-18-98, 12-28-98 and 2-9-99. Having several return dates in close proximity to one another suggests that this rifle was a traveling factory show gun. The 1897 American Institute Fair, Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition (1897), Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition (1898) and California's Golden Jubilee (1898) are a few possibilities where this rifle might have been showcased. This rifle is pictured and described in Ned Schwing's "Winchester Slide-Action Rifles, Volume I" on page 167. The rifle features a very desirable factory "$6.00" number 8 engraving pattern that was suited for small frame rifles like the 1890. The engraving is illustrated in Schwing's "Winchester Slide-Action Rifles, Volume I" on page 169, George Madis' book "The Winchester Book" on page 525 and in R.L. Wilson's book "The Book of Winchester Engraving" on page 218. This engraving features delicate scrollwork and oval panel scenes depicting rabbits (right side) and squirrels (left side). Accents of scrollwork appear on the bolt, trigger guard, lower tang and buttplate tang. Schwing lists only three Second Model, Model 1890s with the number 8 pattern engraving and gold-plated receiver that fall into the 15,552-112,000 serial number range (page 178) and a grand total of seven Model 1890s with the number 8 pattern engraving and gold-plated receiver that fall into the 1-329,999 serial number range (page 182), leaving no doubt that this is an extremely rare variation of Winchester's first slide action rifle. As a Second Model, it has the concealed locking lugs, takedown frame and serial number only on the lower tang. It is equipped with a combination Beach front, fixed notched rear and Lyman tang sights. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line address ahead of the rear sight and "22 SHORT" at the breech. The barrel and magazine are nickel-plated, and the remaining surfaces are plated in gold. Mounted on a nicely figured forearm and pistol grip stock. The stock features checkering in the grip area, a hard rubber Winchester grip cap and a factory engraved gold-plated crescent steel buttplate. The round highly finished forearm has 12 grooves. Provenance: The Paul Vanderlinden collection;Property of a Gentleman

Extremely fine. The barrel and magazine retain 85% plus factory nickel finish showing some minor flaking and blistering. The remaining surfaces retain 70% factory gold plating with the balance a smooth dark gray patina. Note that the gold plating is delicate by nature and a strong percentage of remaining finish, as seen here, is rarely encountered. The wood is very fine showing a couple of repaired small chips near the frame, a number of minor pressure dents and scratches, crisp checkering overall and retaining most of the original finish. Mechanically excellent. A factory documented and engraved two-tone Model 1890 for the serious Winchester slide action rifle collector! The rarity of this rifle means it missing from even the most advanced collections.