Manufactured in 1897, this is a very finely finished example of a special order Winchester "semi-deluxe" Model 1887 shotgun which was shipped to and displayed at one of the 19th century's premier exhibitions. The included factory letter lists the shotgun in 12 gauge, with a 30 inch barrel, "good Damascus", and an oil finished, fancy, checkered stock with a rubber buttplate when originally received at the warehouse on 4 March 1897, with the additional notation "To Russ". The letter goes on to state that the shotgun was again received at the warehouse on 19 July with the notations "made fancy" and "NY Ex '97". The final notations on the letter are that it was again received at the warehouse 7 July 1899 and a return and repair date of 5 August 1899 as part of order number 33075. The writer has concluded that "NY Ex ’97" notation references the American Institute Fair, which was held annually in New York City from 1829 to 1897 and has been considered the first world’s fair in the U.S. A period publication referred to the American Institute Fair as an "important gathering of the inventors and manufacturers of America." In the late nineteenth century, Winchester certainly met the criteria to be among America’s top innovators displaying to the public "the finest products of agriculture and manufacturing." For 40 days in 1897, the American Institute Fair was held at Madison Square Garden. The shotgun has a single bead sight on the barrel with a 2 5/8 inch chamber and choke marked "FULL". It is marked with the standard "WRACO" monogram on the left side of the casehardened receiver along with double line border engraving. The left side of the lower tang is marked "320 XXX", with "320" repeated in the stock inlet. It is mounted with a double-diamond checkered, two-piece slab forend and very finely figured, checkered, pistol grip stock with checkered hard rubber buttplate and 13 inch length of pull. Provenance: The James Windy Collection

Exceptionally fine, retains 85% of the original blue finish and 60% of the original case colors, more vibrant in sheltered areas, with a few scattered patches of light surface spotting. The highly figured wood is fine with a small filler repair at the toe between the wood and buttplate, some scattered minor handling marks, and mostly well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.