Extremely Scarce Special Order Winchester Straight Grip Deluxe Model 90 Slide Action Takedown Rifle with Checkered Slide Handle

Manufactured in 1928, this is an attractive example of the Winchester Model 90 rifle ordered in an extremely scarce, special order, “straight grip deluxe” configuration with a checkered slide handle. Page 227 of “Winchester Slide-Action Rifles Vol. I” by Ned Schwing notes that only 3.5% of all Model 90s ordered were a “straight grip deluxe”, equating to just 81 total rifles. This example however is even scarcer as it was also ordered with a deluxe checkered slide handle which Schwing notes was only ordered on four rifles. The book shows sn. 796604 with a checkered slide handle. The combination of these two extremely rare special order features on one rifle make for a Model 90 that is quite possibly one-of-a-kind and an extreme rarity among Winchester slide action collecting. It is marked with Winchester factory oval proofs on the barrel and the receiver at the breech. The upper left flat of the barrel is marked with the two-line address and patent dates as well as the model and caliber marking. The lower front face of the receiver is marked “W.R.F.” and “33”. The matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame and the lower tang. It is fitted with a beaded blade front sight, elevation adjustable notch rear sight, and a Marble combination peep sight on the upper tang. It is mounted with the extremely scarce, very finely figured, multi-point checkered slide handle and the rare multi-point checkered, very finely figured, straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.