This rifle was manufactured in 1895, the second year of production for the ever popular Winchester Model 1894, and has an incredibly rare combination of features, including the exceedingly rare casehardened frame, a variation few collectors have the opportunity of seeing let along acquiring. Robert C. Renneberg in "The Trilogy: Models 1894/94, 55, 64 (30th Anniversary Edition)" wrote that the casehardened receiver is the "most coveted of all on a Model 1894" and noted: "As of now I have only physically seen three verifiable case-colored examples," two of which were takedowns. There are 157 recorded in the factory records consisting of 155 rifles and 2 carbines (see pages 39-40). Survey data showed only 16 of those were ordered in deluxe configuration. The casehardening as a finish option was officially dropped by Winchester in 1901 leaving only a few years for casehardened Model 1894s to have been made. The number surviving is unknown, and we can go years without offering one at auction. This incredible example has casehardened finish on the frame, hammer, and lever and blued finish on the balance. It features a dovetailed front sight with a German silver blade, elevation adjustable dovetailed sporting rear sight, the two-line address ahead of the rear sight, "38-55" on top of the barrel at the breech, a tang mounted combination peep sight, plain trigger, style H checkered deluxe walnut forearm and pistol grip buttstock, and hard rubber grip cap and checkered shotgun buttplate embossed with the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. The included factory letter lists this early Winchester Model 1894 as a takedown rifle in .38/55 caliber with an octagon barrel, plain trigger, and a checkered pistol grip stock with shotgun butt and rubber buttplate. The casehardened finish is not listed, but we believe it to be authentic. The letter indicates the rifle was received in the warehouse on November 6, 1895, and shipped the same day. Additional included documentation confirms that David S. Madis received this rifle in a trade with the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, including a November 9, 1983, list signed by Curator Herbert G. Houze of the Winchester Arms Museum listing this rifle as the first of 16 firearms, including 13 other Winchester Model 1894s along with a Model 62A and a Garrett Arms Company Sharps carbine. The Winchester Arms Collection was loaned to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in 1975. This rifle was thus traded out while the collection was in their possession but prior to the collection being gifted to the museum in 1988. The Winchester Arms Collection remains the core of the Cody Firearms Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Provenance: The Winchester Arms Collection; The David S. Madis Collection;Property of a Gentleman

Fine with 60% original blue finish, 30% original case colors on the frame, 75% original case colors on the hammer and lever, silver-gray and brown patina on the balance, minor oxidation, and generally fairly minor overall wear. The refinished wood is also fine and has some small spots of wear in the otherwise crisp checkering, scattered scratches and dings, attractive figure, and a filled hole on the bottom of the butt from a sling swivel. Mechanically excellent. Do not miss your opportunity to get your hands on one of the rarest and most desirable Winchester Model 1894s!