This is an example of a factory No. 1 engraved and gold inlaid Winchester Model 1895 Fancy Sporting Takedown Rifle that was manufactured circa 1915. This rifle is chambered for the 405 W.C.F. cartridge, the most powerful cartridge ever offered in a Winchester lever-action rifle. The Winchester Model 1895 Express rifle was suitable for hunting dangerous game in North America, Africa or Asia. The tiger, leopard and grizzly inlaid in solid gold on the receiver of this rifle reflect its suitability as a big game rifle. This rifle is illustrated on page 234 of "WINCHESTER ENGRAVING" by R.L. Wilson. The Winchester No. 1 factory engraving on this rifle is described on page 5 of "WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO., HIGHLY FINISHED ARMS" reproduced on page 221 of "WINCHESTER ENGRAVING". The highlight of the engraving is the highly detailed gold damascened tiger and leopard on the right side of the receiver and the grizzly on the left side. The receiver, upper tang, bolt, take-down collar, hammer, lever, barrel breech and muzzle are engraved with arabesque scrollwork and artistic borders. The scrollwork and engraved borders are accented with numerous gold inlaid borders. The deluxe, fancy grade walnut stock and forearm feature Winchester Style B, relief carved, scroll and vine designs with a highly polished piano finish. The stock has a black, checkered hard rubber shotgun style buttplate with the round Winchester trademark in the center. The forearm tip has an ebony inlay. The rifle has a full blue finish. The 24-inch round barrel has a Lyman Express front sight with white bead and a rare express rear sight with one fixed and three folding leaves marked "1-4". The top of the receiver has a matted finish. The left side of the barrel is roll-stamped: "- NICKEL STEEL BARREL-/ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKELESS POWDER" in two lines below the rear sight. "405 W.C.F." is stamped on the left side of the barrel just ahead of the takedown collar. The oval Winchester "W/P" proofmarks are stamped on the center of the barrel and on the left side of the receiver. The two-line Winchester legend and patent dates are roll-stamped on the left side of the receiver in an engraved panel. The upper tang is roll-stamped: "MODEL 1895/-WINCHESTER-/TRADE MARK REG.IN U.S. PAT.OFF." with engraved borders. The serial number "216937/B" is stamped across the lower tang behind the lever latch.

Very fine as professionally refinished some time ago. The barrel retains nearly all of the blue finish with sharp markings and crisp engraved scrollwork. The blue on the top and left side of the takedown collar is thin but remains 70% complete. The receiver has very faint handling wear on the upper edges but retrains 95% of the factory quality refinished blue finish. The refinished magazine is free from the cycling wear typically found on Model 1895 rifles. The highly detailed gold inlaid tiger, leopard and grizzly remain in perfect condition and the gold inlays and intricate scrollwork and borders are free from wear. The highly figured, fancy grade, walnut stock and forearm remain in very fine condition with 98% of the high polish piano finish. Wear is limited to a few very insignificant handling marks on the underside of the forearm between the relief carved panels. The intricate, relief-cared, scroll and vine decoration on the stock and forearm shows light handling marks. This rifle is a magnificent example of the highest level of ornamentation available on Winchester rifles during the late 19th and early 20th century. Provenance: Robert M. Lee Collection.