Manufactured in 1882, this is an incredible example of a rare, factory engraved Winchester Model 1873 saddle ring carbine, which is signed by the legendary Winchester Master Engraver John Ulrich. The included factory letter lists the carbine with a full nickel finish, "$7.50 engraved, a ring and staple, sling swivels, and a fancy stock when received at the warehouse on 10 June 1882 and shipped the same day in order number 32919. This carbine has the third model receiver with integral dust cover guide and dust cover with serrations at the rear. The Model 1873 saddle ring carbines were often purchased to be working guns, and thus they are much more rarely seen with embellishment and special order features compared to the rifles. Winchester historian and author George Madis notes in "The Winchester Book" that only around 37% of Model 1873 production were carbines, and that of all Model 1873s only one out of every 600 had a plated finish, one out of every 600 had special wood, and only one out of every 700 was engraved or inscribed. Though there are no exact figures available on the rarity of engraved saddle ring carbines, it is clear that they are much more scarce than engraved Model 1873 rifles. The piece is signed "J.ULRICH" just behind the trigger guard in the typical "backwards slanted" font. The sides of the receiver show extensive floral scroll engraving, with flourishes of scroll on the bottom, top, on the buttplate tang, and on the dust cover. Each of the sideplates have a circular vignette featuring a game scene. The left scene shows a bear standing atop a cliff, one which is shown with the No. 4 style engraving on p. 214 of "The Book of Winchester Engraving" by Wilson. The right side scene shows a bugling bull elk, a scene shown on p. 221 of the same book. Interestingly, these are both scenes that seem to have been more commonly seen on the larger Winchester 1876s, their larger calibers more suited for such big game. An example of one that belonged to Theodore Roosevelt is pictured on p. 158 of the previously mentioned book, showing both the bear and elk scenes, along with a bison and a bighorn sheep. The top of the barrel has the two-line address and King's patent marking, and the carbine correctly lacks caliber markings as .44-40 W.C.F. was initially the only caliber offered and was considered standard. There are British proofs on the left of the barrel at the breech and muzzle, as well as one on the bottom of the receiver. The upper tang is marked with the model designation and the lower tang has the serial number behind the lever latch. The left side of the lower tang is marked "XXX 4338 C", with "4338" repeated in the stock inlet and inside the buttplate. It is fitted with a block blade front sight, folding ladder rear sight, saddle ring on the left of the receiver, and special order sling swivels on the lower barrel band and bottom of the buttstock. It is mounted with a finely figured smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor carbine buttplate containing an included three-piece cleaning rod.

Exceptionally fine, retains 85% of the original nickel finish with some scattered patches of minor flaking and a couple patches of light pitting near the barrel address and on the heel of the buttplate. The wood is very fine with some minor handling marks scattered throughout. Mechanically excellent. A rare example of a special order, John Ulrich master factory engraved Winchester Model 1873 carbine, the likes of which will not be found in even some of the most extensive Winchester lever action collections!