Manufactured in 1915. The unusual factory engraving on this deluxe Model 1895 takedown rifle is not a pattern from the Winchester factory engraving pattern catalog. In fact, it is, as firearms historian R.L. Wilson noted in his book "Winchester Engraving," "an out of the ordinary leaf, scroll, game scene and border décor which enlivens the frame and magazine of this rifle." Fellow Winchester historian George Madis commented, "We find more unusual patterns of engraving and more rare game scenes on the Model 95 than on any other action collector's Winchester. One reason for this is the fact that more engravers were working at the factory, those who wanted engraving more often specified what patterns they desired, and Winchester was promoting the Model 95 as the ideal big game rifle." Furthermore, "Engraved Models 95 are very rare; by the time the Model 95 was introduced the cost of engraving had become quite high." The receiver features scarce low relief game scenes depicting a stag on the left side and a bear on the right side. The German style engraved motifs extend to the barrel breech, magazine, takedown collar and lever. The rifle has standard Winchester markings including the factory oval proofs which are stamped in nonstandard places in order to accommodate the engraving. The barrel and upper tang are drilled and tapped for sight mounting. It is fitted with a W.F. Sheard blade front sight, folding two leaf rear sight and Lyman receiver sight. Other special features include the highly figured, deluxe burl grain walnut forearm and straight grip stock featuring multi-point checkering, raised cheekpiece and shotgun checkered steel buttplate. Also note the stock has special order drop and length. The rifle is pictured and identified in George Madis' "The Winchester Book" on page 466 and R.L. Wilson's "Winchester Engraving" on page 279.

Very fine, retaining 80% plus original blue finish with the balance a smooth gray patina. The engraving is crisp. The wood is very fine with minimal handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. The perfect factory engraved Model 1895 for the serious Winchester collector looking for something out of the ordinary. Provenance: Felix Bedlan