Maverick said
I think there is a big difference in comparing a period engraved rifle by the original owner as a gift to someone else and taking a 100+ year old Winchester done to the local jeweler to be engraved today. 

I think some folks like to read between the lines and add to the text. Madis never says this particular rifle was factory engraved.

Madis being an engraver himself did know the difference. 

Sincerely,

Maverick

  

I get it, but it’s not factory engraved and it made it much less attractive in my eyes and in the eyes of others.  The bidding tempered on this particular rifle as it didn’t sell within the range of the first, and now second and lowered pre auction estimate.  Folks speak with their wallets!

oldcrankyyankee said
Ahh the ‘Hoisington Rifle”. Ian I have followed this 86 for a couple years. I am clearly not good enough to determine factory engraving or if it had any finish restoration, but clearly the guys or gals that can have side stepped it for a couple years now. If my memory serves it first appeared 2 – 21/2 years ago at RIA with ahigh low of 35k to 50k. No takers. Appeared about 8 months later, bit lower price and still no takers. Don’t get me wrong I am no pro and if it fell in to my lap I wouldn’t through it out. but now that you have shown me the deficiencies of this gun I would be very hesitant to put much money into it. But it does have some appeal, I mean how many 86’s letter with silver trim?  

For a Winchester 1886 rifle in the letterable range, which this rifle is, there really is no need to have the skills necessary to determine if engraving is factory or not.  As with ANY Winchester that can be lettered, if the Winchester doesn’t match the letter, the features described, or not described, in the letter puts the Winchester in the “problem” category, one that requires explanation, no matter how original the feature is.  And so, even if factory engraved, if it isn’t stated in the letter, it’s not factory.

The problems I described relative to this rifle are, outside of the undocumented engraving are why I didn’t pursue this rifle—not the fact that the engraving wasn’t described in the letter.  I’m at the point in my life where I don’t need to chase down Winchesters with refinished components.

IF everything else was okay except for the fact the engraving doesn’t letter, I would have been pleased to own this rifle—at the right price.

I’m certain that this rifle contains engraving that isn’t factory.  It wasn’t left off the letter.  The story was that in 1895, this rifle was ordered with all the features seen today and documented in the factory letter except the engraving.  It was then taken to the local jeweler and engraved to order prior to presentation.  Look at many personalized pocket watches from Waltham and Elgin and others from the 19th Century.  The engraving is exactly stylistically identical—just on a larger scale.  If you purchased a pocket watch in that era, you would have the local jeweler engrave initials on site.  It wasn’t ordered from the factory that way.