The accompanying Winchester Gun Museum letter lists this rifle with an octagon barrel in .45-90 caliber, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, "silver trims," and Lyman front and rear sights when shipped on February 9, 1895 (no mention of inscription, possibly a factory record oversight as writer believes the inscription is factory). The rifle is pictured and identified in George Madis' "The Winchester Book" on page 332. The inscription on the left side of the receiver reads in large bold font, "Fred R. Hoisington/1895 FROM J.M.F." The rifle is equipped with a dovetail beaded blade Lyman front sight, elevation adjustable rear sight, and folding tang peep sight. The barrel is stamped with the two-line address ahead of the rear sight and "45-90 WCF" at the breech on the top flat. The lower tang has the two-line patent dates marking and the serial number. The rifle has the highly sought after factory two-tone finish (blue and silver). The barrel, magazine tube and bolt are blued. The receiver, forend cap and buttplate are plated in silver. The half silver finish is a very rare Winchester special order feature, rarer than full nickel finish. The highly figured walnut forearm and pistol grip stock are checkered. The buttstock has an ebony grip insert and a solid crescent buttplate. Frederick Reed Hoisington (1868-1951) was born in Ohio and was one of seven children born to a Sri Lankan father and mother from New York. He was the father of five children and later lived in the State of New York where he died at the age of 82 in 1951.