A John Moses Browning design, the Winchester Model 1894 has become one of the truly iconic American firearms, with its lineage firmly rooted in the Western Frontier, its later popularity as a hunting gun, and over 7,500,000 produced, it is impossible the argue its legendary status. The collectability of all Model 1894s continues to rise, making factory embellished deluxe examples like this one a true investment-grade cornerstone in a fine American arms collection. Per the Madis serial number data published by Winchester, this rifle is legally an antique. The factory letter indicates the rifle was received in the warehouse on October 8, 1900 and shipped the next day to order number 66837. Additional details provided by the factory letter states the rifle was shipped with an octagon barrel in .30 caliber, plain trigger, fancy pistol grip stock, checkered shotgun butt, and 1/2 magazine. Noted Winchester historian and author George Madis examined this rifle and recorded his observations in the accompanying handwritten letter: "I have carefully examined this rare Winchester, inside and out, and have determined it is all original as made by Winchester." Madis noted the array of special order features and considered that it "may have been a sample gun, used for a time as an exhibition piece." The barrel has a rapid taper, and while the factory letter states it has a 1/2 magazine, Madis noted that the "magazine is closer to a two-thirds magazine." Based on Madis' research only one of each 725 Model 1894s received a special length magazine. A full length magazine was considered standard. The deluxe wood, as observed by Madis, "would grade at least 3X." The sides of the receiver tangs, where deluxe wood grade markings are usually found, are unmarked. The stock lacks an assembly number, and the buttplate has the assembly number "10508." Madis' research accounts for one of each 725 Model 1894s fitted with pistol grip stocks, one of each 800 guns had special wood, and one of 780 guns had checkering or carving. On this deluxe rifle the wood has the factory "F" pattern. "Factory checkering is rarely found on early Winchesters, and this is especially true for this pattern. Of most checkering seen, styles G, H and I are most frequently seen," wrote Madis. The buttstock is fitted with a shotgun buttplate, however, it is plain steel with light engraving at the heel, not checkered as listed in the factory letter. Madis accounted for one of each 700 guns were provided with a special buttplate. "The shotgun buttplate on this rifle can be considered a double extra," continued Madis, "since hard rubber was the standard material for their buttplates. A steel buttplate, as on this rifle, is very rarely found," The sights are also of special interest: "Special sights on this Winchester are the Lyman front and tang peep. A Winchester 1-A elevator, considered a special, is seen with the Winchester sporting style rear sight." The most fabulous feature has been saved for last and it is the factory engraving that decorates the receiver. Although not listed in the factory letter, the engraving is certainly factory. Again we turn to Madis for clarification: "Winchester engraving in style nine is seen on this deluxe gun; this work is definitely from the Winchester engraving shop, although the warehouse records do not note the engraving. A careful inspection of the scrolls and the sculpture of the smaller borders and background show the work of Winchester engravers. Background shading and all of this work is also typical of Winchester work." The factory no. 9 engraving consists of scrollwork on fine punch dot backgrounds, wavy zig-zag line and dot borders, and circular game scene panels depicting a moose in a woodland scene on the left and a bighorn sheep in a mountain scene on the right.

Very good plus. The barrel and magazine tube retain 50% faded original blue finish and the receiver retains 20% original blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance. 30% of the original nitre blue remain on the loading gate. The hammer and lever retain 30% original case colors with the balance mostly silvered. The wood is also fine with minor dings and scratches, much of the original finish remaining, and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A George Madis examined factory engraved Winchester Deluxe Model 1894 with a combination of rare special order features that will be difficult to encounter again.