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Although an official production total for factory engraved
Winchester 1903s is unknown, Winchester author and expert
George Madis pointed out the difficulty of finding a factory
engraved Model 1903, explaining, “The rare customer who
wanted engraving was usually content to have Winchester
engrave the standard scenes offered” (“The Winchester Book”,
page 552). For the Model 1903 these “standard scenes” were
small game. Cottontails were especially popular. While the
receiver to this Model 1903 is adorned with common factory
floral scroll and border motifs, the scenes are anything but
ordinary. As confirmed by the factory letter, the left side of the
receiver features a royal flush of hearts in a circular panel and the
right side of the receiver features the Nonanturn Clubhouse on the waterfront in a circular panel. Nonanturn is likely a misspelling of
Nonantum Club, which was a fishing club organized out of New Haven, Connecticut, circa 1892. The club leased lands next to the lake village of
La Bouchette in Quebec, Canada, a perfect setting for the lakefront cabin depicted in the engraving. Additional scrollwork decorates the forend cap, rear sight, trigger guard and buttplate. The checkered forearm and pistol grip stock are deluxe walnut. The stock is fitted with a hard rubber Winchester grip cap.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% plus bright original blue finish with high edge
wear on top of rear frame. The engraving is crisp. The wood is also excellent with some
minor dings and scratches and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. Factory engraved Model 1903s are missing from even the most advanced Winchester collections. This high condition deluxe Model 1903 with its special order, highly personalized embellishment is a true rarity in Winchester collecting.
Provenance: The Richard P. Mellon Collection.
Estimate: 40,000 - 60,000