tim tomlinson said
If anyone is thinking an answer to this question is going to be neat and all inclusive, they will be disappointed!!  I perused the chapter on receivers in the 1895 book starting on page 94.  Answers appear in or under the various pictures.  Distilled they look like this.  Two rifles in the 20,000 sn range had blued triggers but case hardened lever links.  I saw no hardened and colored triggers.  I did not see any lever being anything other than blued.  Links were case hardened up to the 60,000 to 70,000 sn ranges.  Hammers were case hardened up to the 70,000 to 80,000 sn ranges.  Now, I did not try to cross reference the serial number ranges to dates, but expect anyone sufficiently curious may do so with the "when was your Winchester made" look up at the beginning of our forum.  Now, were any 1895's factory color case hardened for the receiver?  I do not know but have not seen one yet except a couple admittedly done after market just for the fun of it.  Tim
  

tim tomlinson said
Decided to throw in the dates just because.   60,000 was 1907.   70,000 was 1910.  80,000 was 1912.  So now you also have a date range for the links and hammers being case hardened and colored.  Cheers!  Tim
  

I'm in agreement with Tim's great reference work, from the great book that Rob and Brad, put out on the M-1895. I understand the question on the post here, as far as hammers and levers go on the 95, as it does seem to make us take notice of the other models also, as Bert mentioned in comparison, and what Tim was saying about the links and levers. With Tim's astute observance, the links that are color case hardened, stand out as we search to try to see parts that were and or weren't C.C.H. It's obvious that the blued only triggers from the factory, stand out against the C.C.H. links, as the extra care to harden these hardened interior links, we're anticipated as a need, and not just for decoration, as were the hammers. IMO!

It is mentioned, in the book, that in the 2015 records office survey done, only four receivers we're found to be case color hardened, at Winchester, (pg. 71) , making these extremely rare! 

Tony

martin rabeno said
Thanks for the compliments guys.
That Giovanelli rifle is pretty darn sharp though with a great inlay.  I plan on being at the Greeley show next week  I anyone is around stop and say hello. I have a 1876 I just finished.
  

Is it for sale? 😀 Would love to see pics!! 

thanks

In terms of pre-64 Winchester FACTORY M70 engraving, as far as I know there were only three possible engravers.  Alden George Ulrich (chief engraver from 1925 until his stroke in 1949), John Kusmit (George's apprentice and successor), and Nick Kusimt (who apprenticed under John)...  Of those, Ulrich and JK are known engravers of pre-64 M70s.  For example, Ulrich did the RCS (Russell C Smith) "Grail Guns" we wrote about in the Spring 2025 Collector magazine.  He also did the two (R&R) Model 70s in the current RIA Premier auction.  I checked with Pauline (whose letter is used as authentication) and she did write it...

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4097/3579/factory-ulrich-engraved-special-order-winchester-model-70-rifle

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4097/3580/factory-ulrich-engraved-special-order-winchester-model-70-rifle

JK also did some M70s, most notably the famous JFK rifle (s/n 500,000) that belongs to (and in) CFM, but some others as well.  This rifle (one of my Dad's) was engraved by JK (according to Pauline).  It's the number 70-5 pattern only with a gold ram on the floor plate instead of the usual 70-5 scroll.  IMHO (and Pauline's according to the letter she wrote for me) it was definitely an outside job (not a factory special order), but it is an example of JK's ordinary low cost engraving...  The JFK gun, which is done in a deeper relief like Ulrich's style, is much closer to being in Ulrich's league than my gun...

Martin's work (on his worst day, if he has any bad days) makes this gun look amateurish.  But for my taste, I do like Ullrich's work...

Just my opinion,

Lou

That Giovanelli rifle is pretty darn sharp though with a great inlay.  I plan on being at the Greeley show next week  I anyone is around stop and say hello. I have a 1876 I just finished.

Zebulon said
Apparently,  Gemini is full of prunes. Buck, with all due respect, I think Grok is full of something worse. I'm no expert on engraving but, if the OP's rifle was engraved by Ulrich, then I'm Shirley Temple. 
I'm familiar with Martin's portfolio and reputation and I'll take his word on the subject. 
As I warned earlier, Gemini is frequently wrong but never in doubt. However, it was a starting point. 
(Lou, I do not disagree with you.)
  

Hi Zeb, I don’t disagree at all. Grok is wrong a lot but I did find it interesting that it agreed with Gemini that the style was most likely Germanic. It also stated that it was likely the result of the Custom shop which is possible I guess? Martin certainly knows engraving though and I wouldn’t like my odds disagreeing with him any more than I would arguing Winchester history with Bert! 😳 Both would end badly for me! 

Mike

Bill Hanzel said
Lou, thank you for posting that link!
Mr. Rabeno that is some absolutely beautiful artwork! The bear and moose receiver is some of the nicest art I have ever seen, that fact that it’s engraved on a firearm and fully visible to enjoy, is truly wonderful. 
  

I agree that is one beautiful rifle and I would wager expensive! The engraving looks a lot like the Giovanelli master pieces on some of the Commemoratives like this 25th anniversary one shown below Martin’s Centennial master piece! Thank you for sharing and appreciate getting to see Martin’s amazing work and agree he is in a different league!

I'm familiar with Martin's portfolio and reputation and I'll take his word on the subject. 

As I warned earlier, Gemini is frequently wrong but never in doubt. However, it was a starting point. 

(Lou, I do not disagree with you.)

Mr. Rabeno that is some absolutely beautiful artwork! The bear and moose receiver is some of the nicest art I have ever seen, that fact that it’s engraved on a firearm and fully visible to enjoy, is truly wonderful. 

This is a factory-engraved Winchester Model 70 bolt-action rifle with Ulrich-family engraving (likely George Ulrich, the last of the family to work at Winchester). 

Your photos show the distinctive bold Germanic/American scroll engraving (dense acanthus-style vines on a punch-dot/stippled background) covering the receiver, with an oval medallion game scene of a bear—classic Ulrich patterns that span from 19th-century lever guns into 20th-century bolt actions. The extensive coverage on the receiver sides, tangs, and other metal parts matches documented factory special-order or exhibition-grade Model 70s. 

Key Confirmation Points from Photos:

•  Action details: The close-up reveals the bolt-action mechanism (bolt components visible when open), consistent with the Model 70 introduced in 1936. The spherical/knobbed bolt handle and internal parts align once you account for the angle and engraving obscuring typical outlines.

•  “FIRE” marking: This appears on a visible internal component (common in Winchester actions for safety/position indicators).

•  Engraving style: Identical to Ulrich work on both early lever-actions and later Model 70s—flowing scrolls + animal vignettes (bears were popular motifs). George Ulrich (active ~1919–1949) continued the family tradition on pre-’64 Model 70s, often for special orders. 

Factory-engraved Model 70s are much rarer than their lever-action counterparts. Most were custom shop or special-order pieces with light-to-full scroll and game scenes. Examples include documented George Ulrich rifles with bear/deer motifs, some with gold inlays on premium Super Grade or exhibition variants. 

Why It Feels Unique

You’re right—the full-coverage style with a prominent bear panel is uncommon even among engraved Model 70s (many have lighter border scrolls or smaller floorplate scenes). This level suggests a high-grade special order, possibly influenced by earlier Ulrich patterns from the 1866/1873 era. 

To identify precisely:

•  Share the serial number (on the receiver ring, right side forward of the ejection port).

•  Barrel markings (caliber, “Winchester” address, proof marks).

•  Any engraver initials (tiny “G.U.” or similar hidden in scrolls) or factory order notations.

•  A Cody Firearms Museum factory letter would confirm original engraving details and cost.

This is a standout collector piece—pre-’64 Model 70s with documented Ulrich engraving command strong premiums at auction. More photos (left receiver side, floorplate, bolt, full stock) or the serial would let us match it to known examples. Beautiful rifle!