#33 • King George V's Grade 1 Factory Ulrich Engraved Gold Inlaid and Carved Winchester Model 1810 Self-Loading Rifle

Part of Fine Winchesters Auction (live auction by Lewis & Grant Auctions)

Status: Sold

$150,000 - $250,000 .401 caliber, 20" round barrel, S/N 10651. Fully engraved and finished in blue and profusely factory gold inlaid with gold wire and gold animals. Finely figured deluxe 3X burl walnut relief carved pistol grip stock and forearm. Barrel has gold bands and is factory engraved at the muzzle as is forend. The breech of the gun has one single gold band and is Ulrich engraved. The left side of the frame depicts a large stalking tiger in gold completely surrounded by arabesque gold bands. The entire frame is covered with profuse and finely executed scroll engraving showing with an arabesque gold border. The top of the frame features a gold inlaid axis deer within a gold banded oval panel. The right side of frame shows a magnificent gold Indian elephant with upraised trunk surrounded with an arabesque gold band. Forward of the elephant is a leopard surrounded by floral engraving. The entire frame is surrounded with an arabesque gold band. The trigger guard is also floral engraved with gold bands. The deluxe pistol gripped fancy stock and matching forearm with a floral, relief carved design further enhanced by a grape leaf motif. This superb work of art is an Ulrich masterpiece. This rifle was the property of His Royal Highness George Frederick Ernest Albert Prince of Wales, who ascended the throne in 1910 as King George V. This rifle was left in storage in London with Rigby & Co and was released for sale by the British Royal Family in the 1960's. It was purchased by John J. Malloy and returned to America. This rifle bears the single "U" signature of John Ulrich in back of the trigger guard. A Grade 1 Winchester “Highly Finished Arm” truly fit for a king. Remarkably this rifle bears no English proofs. This unique lack of proofs can be explained by the fact that serial number 10651 was a royal commission and as such was able to enter the United Kingdom without being sent to the proof house as required by English law. King George V was a keen hunter and sportsman. During a 1911 Christmas hunt in Nepal, the King and his party shot 39 tigers and 18 rhinos in 10 days. This is the only factory gold inlaid and engraved Grade 1 rifle once owned by a British monarch and may be the only royal Grade 1 Winchester extant. **Excellent condition overall with only minor wear to finish.** Provenance Rigby & Co. John J. Malloy.