Offered here is rare factory panel scene engraved Savage Model 1895 lever action rifle, one of only between 9 to 11 total Model 1895s believed to have been engraved by the Ulrich brothers, John and Conrad, per information provided from David Royal. Manufactured c. 1895-1896, with Savage Model 1895s found in the approximate low 3000 to low 8000 serial range according to information at the top of page 134 in the book "A Collector's Guide to the Savage 99 Rifle" (2016) by David Royal. This exact rifle is described and depicted in various pictures on pages 175-177 of "Savage Model 1895, 1899 & 99 Rifles Volume 2, Engraved and Special-Feature Models" (2022) by David Royal. The included Savage factory letter, dated April 16, 2013 and addressed from John T. Callahan, states in relation to this rifle by serial number, "The record books tell us that this rifle was accepted at Savage's Utica, New York offices on February 12, 1897, and was shipped on February 18, 1897. It was built in caliber .303 Savage with a full octagon barrel. The original consignee is listed to be W.S. Stratton. Additional entries show the rifle was provided with factory engraving, fancy checkering and optional case hardened receiver. Mr. Stratton, reportedly owned a gold mine in Colorado and periodically ordered fine rifles as gifts for his friends. The rifle you have is a Model 1895. It was Savage's first rifle, and established the company. Of interest, is that this rifle was produced for Savage by the Marlin Firearms Co. of New Haven, CT. An arrangement was made by the Savage Company to have John Marlin produce the first firearms in his factory as Savage did not have the plant or equipment at that time to do this. The first 8200 rifles were produced by Marlin and are stamped with a 'JM' or 'M' marking under the barrel." Mr. Royal further indicated to us that there is believed to instead be only approximately 5,200 Model 1895s manufactured. Winfield Scott Stratton (July 22, 1848-September 14, 1902) was an American capitalist, philanthropist, and prospector who discovered the Independence Lode, a gold mining site also referred to as Stratton's Independence Mine and Mill , near Victor, Colorado on July 4, 1891, and became the Cripple Creek Mining District's first millionaire in 1894. The initials "F.C.T." are neatly inscribed on the left interior side of the receiver, an unknown individual that was a friend of Mr. Stratton who would have been presented this rifle. Performed by the hand of one of Savage's skilled in-house engravers John and Conrad Ulrich, this rifle features high quality engraving consisting of floral scroll patterns surrounding a circular panel scene of a deer being chased by a dog on the left of the receiver, floral scroll on the right, floral scroll motifs on the top and bottom of the receiver, with some flourishes of floral scroll on top of the chamber area of the barrel. Relevant information along with a nearly identical Ulrich factory engraved Model 1895 pictured can be found on pages 19-20 of Royal's 2016 published book. This rifle features a 26 inch octagon barrel with a dovetail mounted beaded pinched blade front sight and folding Lyman patent rear sight, with "SAVAGE REPEATING ARMS Co., UTICA, N.Y. U.S.A./PATENTED FEB. 7. 1893. JULY 25. 1893. CAL. .303." marked in two lines on top of the barrel, a flip-up adjustable peep sight mounted on the top of the receiver tang, opening on top of the bolt with cocking indicator, and a cartridge counter on the left of the receiver. Provenance: The Josh Weiner Collection; The David Royal Collection

Very good with charming frontier patina, retains 30% original blue finish concentrated mostly in the concealed area of the barrel beneath the forearm, and strong traces of original case colors in the protected areas of the receiver, with scattered spotting, smooth brown and gray patina, and absolutely sharp engraving. Wood is fine with some scattered dents and light scratches, a crack/chip visible at the right tip of the forearm, a few small cracks directly behind the lower tang and one ahead of the right of the buttplate, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent.