*VERY RARE ENGRAVED 1ST YEAR PRODUCTION WINCHESTER MODEL 1905 SEMI-AUTO RIFLE.

*VERY RARE ENGRAVED 1ST YEAR PRODUCTION WINCHESTER MODEL 1905 SEMI-AUTO RIFLE. Cal. 35 SL. SN 285. Fantastic Stokes engraved rifle with eight game scene vignettes on the receiver. The left side has a large central vignette of a standing, face on, bull elk. It has a crouching bobcat with dead rabbit to the left and a fox to the right. The right side has a large central vignette of a side view of a standing bull elk with a black bear to the left side and a grizzly bear to the right. The top of the receiver has a large vignette of a side view of a standing bull moose and the rear edge of the receiver has the relief engraved silhouette of a standing fox or coyote. Each of these vignettes has distinctive and unique background and foreground engraved patterns. The attention to detail is obviously the work of a master engraver such as Stokes. These vignettes are all surrounded by very tight, well executed foliate arabesque patterns with the sides having “X” and blanks borders and the top edges a chain border. The front edges of the receiver have an altogether a different style of border, obviously intended to exhibit the engraver’s talent. The engraving extends down the top tang and around the rear edge of the receiver with the bottom of the trigger bow engraved to match. The proof mark on top of the receiver is surrounded by an engraved flower. This rifle was surely intended for, and probably used as a factory exhibit piece at a World’s Fair, trade show or other widely viewed exhibition to draw attention.

It has a 22″ tapered rnd bbl with pedestal front sight and rounded semi-cloverleaf rear sight. The wood is straight grain American walnut, uncheckered with straight grip and Winchester embossed hard rubber buttplate. Accompanied by an undated 7-page George Madis letter fully describing this rifle. He states that Stokes was a Winchester engraver from about 1887 to about 1920. He also states that this rifle was shipped on Sept. 7, 1905 and returned Apr. 7, 1906, reason not indicated. He states it is his opinion that when the rifle was returned in 1906 it was to change the wood from fancy stock & forearm to its current straight grain wood. He offers no other explanation. Mr. Madis also states that in his vast experience and all of the multitudes of Winchester firearms he has examined, he had never before observed one with eight vignettes. Neither has this cataloguer ever observed engraving so lavishly applied to a modern Winchester rifle. CONDITION: Fine to very fine, the bbl retains 97-98% original factory blue with some light surface etching toward the muzzle end on the top. The receiver retains about 90% original blue with light wear and thinning on the top rear. The sides of the receiver have numerous tiny pinpoints of fine surface rust. The trigger bow outer edge is a dark patina. The wood is sound with the forearm a dark cleaned oil stained patina showing moderate wear, especially around the rear sight area. The butt stock has numerous small nicks, scratches & dings with a tiny chip at the toe and a scratch on the bottom and retains about 90% original finish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-53573 (15,000-18,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1615	$23,000.00	VERY RARE ENGRAVED 1ST YEAR PRODUCTION WINCHESTER MODEL 1905 SEMI-AUTO RIFLE. Cal. 35 SL. SN 285. Fantastic Stokes engraved rifle with eight game scene vignettes on the receiver. The left side has a large central vignette of a standing, face on, bull elk. It has a crouching bobcat with dead rabbit to the left and a fox to the right. The right side has a large central vignette of a side view of a standing bull elk with a black bear to the left side and a grizzly bear to the right. The top of the receiver has a large vignette of a side view of a standing bull moose and the rear edge of the receiver has the relief engraved silhouette of a standing fox or coyote. Each of these vignettes has distinctive and unique background and foreground engraved patterns. The attention to detail is obviously the work of a master engraver such as Stokes. These vignettes are all surrounded by very tight, well executed foliate arabesque patterns with the sides having “X” and blanks borders and the top edges a chain border. The front edges of the receiver have an altogether a different style of border, obviously intended to exhibit the engraver’s talent. The engraving extends down the top tang and around the rear edge of the receiver with the bottom of the trigger bow engraved to match. The proof mark on top of the receiver is surrounded by an engraved flower. This rifle was surely intended for, and probably used as a factory exhibit piece at a World’s Fair, trade show or other widely viewed exhibition to draw attention. It has a 22″ tapered rnd bbl with pedestal front sight and rounded semi-cloverleaf rear sight. The wood is straight grain American walnut, uncheckered with straight grip and Winchester embossed hard rubber buttplate. Accompanied by an undated 7-page George Madis letter fully describing this rifle. He states that Stokes was a Winchester engraver from about 1887 to about 1920. He also states that this rifle was shipped on Sept. 7, 1905 and returned Apr. 7, 1906, reason not indicated. He states it is his opinion that when the rifle was returned in 1906 it was to change the wood from fancy stock & forearm to its current straight grain wood. He offers no other explanation. Mr. Madis also states that in his vast experience and all of the multitudes of Winchester firearms he has examined, he had never before observed one with eight vignettes. Neither has this cataloguer ever observed engraving so lavishly applied to a modern Winchester rifle. CONDITION: Fine to very fine, the bbl retains 97-98% original factory blue with some light surface etching toward the muzzle end on the top. The receiver retains about 90% original blue with light wear and thinning on the top rear. The sides of the receiver have numerous tiny pinpoints of fine surface rust. The trigger bow outer edge is a dark patina. The wood is sound with the forearm a dark cleaned oil stained patina showing moderate wear, especially around the rear sight area. The butt stock has numerous small nicks, scratches & dings with a tiny chip at the toe and a scratch on the bottom and retains about 90% original finish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 4-53573 (15,000-18,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}