Manufactured in 1896 per George Madis' serial number range. The accompanying Winchester Gun Museum letter lists this rifle in takedown configuration with an octagon barrel in .38-55 caliber, plain trigger, half magazine, and checkered and oil finish pistol grip stock when shipped on April 23, 1900. The rifle is equipped with a dovetail blade front sight, elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight, and Marble tang peep sight. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line address and "38-55". The takedown latch is stamped with the 1893 patent date. The nicely figured and oil finished walnut forearm and pistol grip stock feature checkering. The buttstock has a casehardened crescent buttplate and a hard rubber Winchester grip cap with added German silver inlay engraved with a single letter initial. The left side of the lower tang is marked "8762 XX." The assembly number "8762" is repeated on the buttstock under the buttplate. The buttplate has the number "21074."

Fine, retaining 75% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. Traces of original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. 50% original case colors remain on the hammer and lever, and 90% vivid original case colors remain on the buttplate. The refinished wood is very good with a repair near the stock toe, a chip near the lower tang, a crack in the wrist (right side), some minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall.