Originally manufactured in 1886, this Winchester Model 1873 subsequently became the steel canvas for an exhibition grade Wild West themed deep relief engraved masterpiece by renowned Master Engraver Richard Roy in 1982. Richard Roy has been engraving firearms since 1967 and is a multimedia artist with noted renderings in sculpture, engravings and oil paintings and a member of the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts for over 30 years. This Richard Roy masterpiece certainly lives up to his exceptional craftsmanship that has attracted worldwide attention. The receiver features full coverage relief floral scrollwork on a stippled background. The front sides of the receiver carry deep relief engraved portraits of Wild West legends: Chief Joseph on the left and Wild Bill Hickok on the right. Deep relief panel scenes are engraved on each sideplate: the right depicts a cowboy on horseback encountering a rattlesnake in a canyon scene, and the left depicts a Native American buffalo hunt. Roy's beautiful scrollwork extends to the dust cover, cartridge elevator which is inscribed "44 CAL," forend cap, hammer, lever, and buttplate. Again, the scrollwork is profuse, covering nearly all of the surfaces to these components. "MODEL 1873" is laid in gold on the upper tang. The sides of the hammer are outlined in gold inlay. The barrel has flourishes of scrollwork at the muzzle and breech as well as a gold inlaid band and "44 W.C.F." at the breech. The lower tang is signed and dated: "Engraved by/Richard Roy/Windsor CT 1982." The rifle features German silver blade and elevation adjustable buckhorn sights, the two-line Winchester address/King's patent barrel legend, and forearm and straight grip stock of select burl walnut featuring high relief carved scrollwork. Provenance: The Joe Marlin Hilliard Collection

Exceptionally fine overall as embellished by renowned Master Engraver Richard Roy. 98% plus of the blue finish remains. The receiver, forend cap, and buttplate have an attractive bright appearance. The engraving is crisp. The wood has minimal handling marks and crisp carving. Mechanically excellent. A modern steel canvas masterpiece by world renowned Master Engraver Richard Roy that will be a cherished piece in any lever action or firearms art collection.