This is a beautiful example of a super rare Deluxe "Factory" engraved and highly embellished Winchester Model 90 slide action rifle. This rifle is super rare and probably one of the last if not the LAST Winchester model 90 manufactured by Winchester as the serial number of this rifle, (790502), falls well outside of the last noted serial numbered Model 90 (750,044) manufactured in late 1941 just prior to WWII. Consequently it is our opinion that this rifle was actually a very special order/presentation rifle manufactured/assembled by Winchester in the late 1940s using left over parts and assemblies from earlier production. To help reinforce this theory this rifle has several very unique features, such as the superb factory No. 8 Deluxe engraving pattern along with the fabulous "deluxe/fancy" grade English walnut pistol grip stock with checkering on the side of the grip area and a small and totally unheard of right hand cheekpiece! The stock is also fitted with the standard Winchester hard rubber grip cap and crescent buttplate, and a standard 12 groove pump handle also made of English walnut that shows a slight amount of figure on the sides. The underside of the buttstock has a small identification disc inset into the wood with the initials "F.B.U." engraved on it. Obviously someone of super importance! The engraving pattern on this rifle is shown on page 308 of the book "Winchester Engraving" by R.L. Wilson, and features a beautiful, oval engraved pattern on each side of the receiver, with the left side depicting two squirrels chasing each through the trees, while the right sides shows a group of rabbits in a wooded country scene. Both panels are flanked by beautiful large Ulrich style "S" scroll engraving inside several blocks that border the outer edges of the receiver. These blocks of engraving are intermixed with a zig-zag/wavy pattern towards the rear of the receiver. There is also a small amount of engraving on the top of the receiver ring, the front edge of the upper tang, behind the hammer, the heel of the buttplate and front edge of the lower tang. This number 8 engraving was very popular and used primarily on small frame rifles by many of the master engravers in the late 1900s up through the 1940s. Although this is a typical John Ulrich pattern he had stopped engraving for the Winchester factory well before this time, with this work probably attributed to his son George Ulrich who was active at the Winchester factory from the 1920s until his death in 1949. This rifle is a late 3rd model with takedown mechanism, which features a locking cut made on the front top of the receiver to allow the breech bolt to lock externally. It is fitted with an original barrel that has the late pattern Winchester, two-line address and patent dates, followed by "--MOD. 90---" and the caliber markings; "22W.R.F.", all offset on the left barrel flat. The barrel is fitted with the special order 3/4 length tubular magazine tube. The barrel is fitted with the standard Winchester bead front sight with the Model 90 adjustable rear sight. The rifle has also been equipped with a special order late production Lyman number 2A combination tang rear sight with the short staff, large Merit eyecup with the locking feature on the left side. The top of the sight base is marked: "LYMAN/Middlefield/ CONN. U.S.A.". The barrel and receiver both carry the proper Winchester "WP" proof marks.

Excellent with 90% plus of the original Winchester factory blue finish overall. There is minor edge and high spot wear overall to include the pump handle and extension. There is some flaking/slight blue loss on the lower tang assembly, trigger guard and rear tang. The wood is excellent with 98% of the original varnish overall with just a few minor handling marks and some scratches on the right side of the stock. The checkering on the pistol grip area is also in excellent condition with nice distinct original checkering. A super, extremely late, Winchester Model 90 Deluxe Presentation type slide action rifle with seldom encountered cheekpiece!