Offered here is a fully factory documented John Ulrich signed Winchester exhibition masterpiece that has been well-documented over the years and is a remarkable piece of Winchester history; It is one of the most elegant and high conditioned John Ulrich signed engraved Model 1894s you will ever find! The rifle has been featured on the cover of N. Flayderman & Co., Inc. catalog no. 103 (October 1979) and R.L. Wilson's "Winchester: An American Legend" on pages 122 and 340 and "Winchester Engraving" on page 171. The accompanying factory letter lists this rifle with a half octagon barrel in .38-55 caliber, plain trigger, fancy pistol grip stock with style B carving, half magazine and $50.00 engraving when it was received in the warehouse on October 6, 1903, and originally shipped on February 29, 1904. The letter also provides several return and shipping dates, indicating that this rifle was a factory display piece from approximately February 1904 to December 1918. For over 20 years this rifle returned to the factory from many exhibitions throughout the country. These shipping dates coincide with multiple major events, including the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (3/30/1904-12/1/1904) and Panama-Pacific International Exposition (2/1915-12/1915). Winchester participated in both of these expositions. Other return dates reference certain individuals, including Guy B. Harrison who sold Winchester and Remington firearms in Texas, I.L. Lippencott who was likely a Winchester employee, and Winchester Vice President F.G. Drew, (later became President). Photocopies of the factory ledger are also included. According to Wilson's research, only two Model 1894s with a $50.00 engraving and only two Model 1894s with a B carving were found in the factory records. The Winchester Engraving" on page 129 and "Winchester Engraving" on page 135. The exceptional engraving features rarely encountered motifs found on John Ulrich guns. The scrollwork depicts grape vines instead of the more traditional fine scrolls. On the right side is a gold outlined oval panel of three elk in a forest. On the left side is a gold outlined circular panel of a single bighorn sheep. The background and shading are remarkable, giving the vignettes a relief engraved appearance. Additional scrollwork is found on the buttplate tang, hammers, lever, breech link and forend cap. Profuse gold inlaid line borders are featured on the frame, buttplate, forend cap and barrel. The breech link additional has an uncommon gold inlaid grape leaf. John Ulrich signed his masterpiece on the lower tang: "J. ULRICH." The original 38-55 caliber barrel has been changed out by the factory with a 30 WCF part octagon tapered "pencil barrel." The barrel has the Winchester "WP" and "P" proofs, dovetailed blade front sight, the Model 94 legend on the upper left flat and two-line address marked on the upper right flat. The barrel lacks provisions for a rear sight. The upper tang has the three-line Model/patent date marking. The underside of the frame has the serial number. The highly figured forearm and pistol grip stock are elaborately carved scarce leaf pattern that perfectly matches the engraving. Additional carving is featured behind the lever, an area that is usual left untouched. Provenance: Norm Flayderman and Mac McCroskie collections.

Exceptionally fine. The rifle retains 90% plus factory blue finish showing some thinning to a brown. The hammer, lever and buttplate have faded to a gray mixed with mostly silvered out case colors. The wood is very fine showing some minor pressure dents and scratches, a crisp carving and retaining nearly all of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. An exquisite factory documented John Ulrich signed engraved Model 1894 used for over 20 years by Winchester as an exhibition gun that is a must have for the serious Winchester collector. The accompanying two page factory letter well spells out the extraordinary history of this highly embellished exhibition gold inlaid factory engraved Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action Rifle!