This is a magnificent example of a Deluxe Winchester Model 1873 Rifle engraved and signed by master engraver John Ulrich. The rifle is accompanied by a letter from the Buffalo Bill Historical Center that states this rifle was shipped from the Winchester warehouse on June 7, 1886. The letter identifies the rifle features as: 20 inch octagon barrel, set trigger, checkered stock, pistol grip, gold trim, matted barrel and engraved "& c & c". This Third Model 1873 Rifle has a blued full octagon barrel and full length magazine. The top of the barrel is matted and the breech and muzzle are inlaid with gold bands. The upper barrel flats are decorated with engraved scrollwork at the breech and muzzle. The barrel is fitted with a dove-tail mounted Beach combination front sight and a sporting style buckhorn rear sight. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING ARMS NEW HAVEN CT./KING'S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29, 1866 OCTOBER 16, 1860" ahead of the rear sight. "44 CAL" is uniquely engraved on the left barrel flat just ahead of the front sight. The gold-plated receiver is engraved with four highly detailed game scenes. The left side of the receiver features a round panel with a bull elk and an oval panel on the left side plate is engraved with a hunter, two grizzly bears and a hound. The right side of the receiver has a bull moose engraved in a round panel on the front of the receiver, and a white tail deer is engraved in a slightly larger circular panel on the side plate. The balance of the sides of the receiver are decorated with highly detailed scrollwork and engraved borders. The scrollwork continues along the top and edges of the receiver, the dust cover, dust cover rail, upper tang, bottom of the receiver and cartridge elevator. The sides of the casehardened hammer and loading lever are decorated with scroll work. The upper tang is roll-stamped with the designation, "MODEL 1873" with foliate decoration at either end. The lower tang is signed by the engraver "J. ULRICH" in tiny letters behind the trigger. The serial number is stamped on the lower tang behind the lever latch. The heel of the crescent, gold-plated buttplate is decorated with scroll-work and engraved borders. The gold-plated forend cap is also decorated with scrollwork and engraved borders. The stock and forearm are fancy grade, highly figured walnut with a high polish varnish finish. The pearl initials "H.L." are inlaid on the right side of the stock. The checkered stock has bone or ebony inlays on the tip of the comb and the edge of the pistol grip. This rifle is a magnificent example of the best and most elaborate engraving, special finishes and special order features available on Model 1873 Winchester rifles.

Fine. The rifle retains 75% of the original gold-plated finish on the receiver, dust cover, forend cap and buttplate. The engraved game scenes, scrollwork and borders are crisp. Strong traces of case colors are present on the sides of the hammer and lever. The loading gate has 50% of the spotted niter blue finish. The barrel and magazine have a deep brown patina. The barrel, rear sight and about half of the magazine are covered with shallow pitting. There is light pitting on the sides and bottom of the lever, and the right side of the hammer has patches of light pitting. This rifle was originally sold by RIAC in December 2011, lot 1287. Subsequently, the owner has partially restored the finish on both frame and barrel for preservation purposes. Note both frame and barrel exhibit original finishes mixed with professional touch up. The stock and forearm are in fine condition. The stock retains much of the original high polish varnish with dark staining visible on forward comb. The checkering on the pistol grip is fine; wear is limited to minor handling marks. The varnished finish and checkered panel on the forearm show light-moderate handling wear but remain in very fine overall condition. This is one of the most highly decorated Model 1873 Winchester Rifles extant and is a magnificent example of 19th century Winchester craftsmanship and the skill of Master Engraver John Ulrich. Writer has never seen another Model 1873 quite like this and will have to say that it ranks as one of my personal favorites!