The accompanying factory letter lists this Model 1894 rifle with a half octagon barrel in .32 Winchester Special, set trigger, fancy pistol grip stock, "E" style carving and checkering, fancy catalogue flat top sporting rear sight, Lyman hunting front sight, half magazine, hard rubber shotgun buttplate, takedown configuration, $14.00 no. 5 factory engraving, sighted at 100 yards and "mark barrel and sights" when received in the warehouse on March 3, 1908 and shipped on March 13. The no. 5 engraving is perhaps best explained by Winchester in their "Highly Finished Arms" catalog. The factory states, "Finely engraved leaf work makes a rich and handsome finish…The receiver is engraved with arabesque scrolls and leaf designs, the barrel is engraved at the breech with scrolls and inlaid with a line of platinum." An elk scene in an oval panel is engraved on the left side of the receiver, and a pronghorn scene in a circular panel is engraved on the right side of the receiver. Scrollwork extends to the forend cap, takedown collar and bolt. The rifle is fitted with a beaded blade Lyman front sight, an elevation adjustable rear sight and folding tang peep sight. The barrel is stamped with the two-line address/patent date marking ahead of the rear sight on the top flat and the two-line nickel steel marking along with "32 W.S." on the upper left flat towards the breech. The Winchester factory oval proof is stamped on top of the barrel and receiver. A sling eyelet is mounted on the underside of the forend cap and buttstock. The highly figured deluxe walnut forearm and pistol grip stock feature rarely encountered "E" style checkering. George Madis noted, "One of the most attractive styles of checking and carving is style E. This style was especially favored by the workers in the special order shops for the model 1895 and Single Shot model." The buttstock is fitted with a hard rubber Winchester shotgun buttplate and grip cap. The left side of the lower tang is stamped "1230 X R" and hand marked "XXX." The stock inlet has the assembly number "1180."

Fine, retaining 80% of the period refinished blue finish with thinning to gray on the balance and a couple small patches of pitting. The engraving is crisp. Traces of original case colors remain on the hammer and lever. The refinished wood is also fine with some minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. A highly attractive factory no. 5 engraved Model 1894 takedown rifle for your growing Winchester collection.