May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/8/2024
Manufactured circa 1870. Rifle sports a blued 24" octagon barrel with blade front sight and 900 yard graduated rear. Receiver is finished in gold wash and very attractively factory engraved in fine, clear Ulrich style. Although unsigned, the fine work has been attributed to the skilled hand of John Ulrich. The right side features a pair of game scene panels, a running hare and duck on water, surrounded in punch dot shaded foliate and floral scroll with decorative borders. The left features a tightly enclosed pointer and an open panel inscribed "Hon. Chas. E. DeLong". The left is also embellished with similar borders and scroll, the scrollwork attractively incorporating an eagle head and wolf head. The scrollwork continues onto the forend cap and crescent butt plate. Stocked in highly figured XXX grade walnut, as marked "GXXX" on the tang, with sling swivels also mounted on the nose cap and butt. Stock channel and inside of butt plate are marked with full, matching serial numbers. Tool trap retains an original 4-piece brass tipped iron wiping rod. Research indicates Charles DeLong was born in New York in 1832 and headed West to California in 1850, settling in Yuba County where he engaged in mining, bartending, and store keeping, before opening a law office in Marysville. He was elected to the State Legislature as a representative of Yuma in 1857, and in 1860 was elected as a State Senator. In 1864, DeLong served on the Constitutional Convention of Nevada. The newly elected President Grant appointed DeLong as Minister Resident of the United States at Japan, leaving for the East in 1869 and later elevated to the position of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in 1872. After returning from his diplomatic missions in 1874, DeLong passed away from typhoid fever in 1876. An included 2014 letter of provenance recalls this gun was passed down through the Shields family for five generations, originally acquired by Andrew Middleman Shields, who settled in Marysville, California, around 1849, where he owned the United States Hotel and Marysville Woolen Mill. The family is uncertain how exactly the rifle was acquired from DeLong, but there are many tantalizing possibilities. CONDITION: Overall fine. Barrel retains over 90% strong original factory blue with some thinning along the high edges, freckles and other minor losses. Magazine tube has largely faded to gray patina. Receiver exhibits an attractive mellow mustard patina highlighted with significant portions of original gold, retained especially in the protected areas and engraving. Loading gate displays very strong and bright nitre blue. Hammer retains most of its muted case colors. The lever largely faded to patina. Forend has a few scattered handling marks. The stock appears sanded, fitting somewhat shy to mounts with a repair at the wrist. Strong bore. Smooth mechanics. A truly outstanding Ulrich engraved Winchester with California history to boot.
Caliber/Bore
.44 Henry Rimfire