When I was offered this Winchester HW I thought long & hard but it has significant history with regard to competitive use of single shot rifles here in Australia....and the price was just too good to pass on! It's a .32/40 presentation rifle given in 1953 to the Secretary (Alfred H Whitwer) of the Hahndorf Rifle Club in Adelaide, South Australia (these details are stamped on the side of the barrel). As I've mentioned in previous posts, the Hahndorf area was settled by German immigrants to Australia during the 1860s onwards and their match shooting traditions came with them. Each year a Kingship shoot competition was held (200 yds,12 shots, 2 sighters, at a Germanic ring target). I believe this tradition continued untill the 1970s. Single shot rifles were used, with HWs proving very popular in .32/40, .38/55 & 56. I've managed to collect four Hahndorf HWs. 

Alfred Whitwer was active in the club from the 1920's thru to the 50's and this rifle was presented by the club as recognition his contributions.
 
Apart from the distinctive brass plated action (which is growing on me) this rifle has a PG stock, a 30" #2 half rd/oct barrel and is fitted with sling eyes. It has a mid range vernier and a windage adjustable front sight. The bore is excellent and it shoots very nicely.

Just thought I'd share an "interesting" HW from Oz.
Spud

Schzbob, GOLD I'm fairly sure it is brass but how do you tell for certain?
Spud

Brass will darken (oxidize) with age. Gold will remain shiny forever. Look somewhere that it has not been polished like inside the action.
Bill

I think I would go with gold, also. A jeweler could probably tell you.

The thing that I wonder about is, what do the Winchester records say about it. Could anyone run his serial number for him?

Frank

I'm sure it is brass plating...gold would have been nice! My good wife took a real interest in the rifle when I mentioned the possibility . 
Took the stock off and there were slight indications of verdigris on the wood so I think that clinches it.
Also got hold of the original production details. No mention of plating and it left Winchester in Jan 1899 with a #2 round barrel in .38/56 so the .32/40 is definitely a replacement.
I'll post a full length photo over the weekend. 
Spud

I did some more research and brass plating is done but with rather complex plating solutions.  (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

One can even buy a Plating kit from Caswells to brass plate at home.   

It looks nice.  I would be real careful about keeping cleaning solutions like Hoppes off of the brass.   

Dave

Whether it's brass or gold, it looks awesome.

Terry, no it's not solid brass. The original action has been electro plated with a thin layer of brass. I'm sure this process has not weakened the strength of the action as plenty of High & low wall actions were nickel plated by Winchester as a special order option. At first I found the "brass" look a bit over the top but I'm really starting to like it. This rifle has not been fired much since the 50's and the brass has not been polished much so it has started to develop a nice mellow patina. My only criticism is the shiny barrel finish, probably a hot blue (but typical of the 50's). A good rust blue would look so much better. Still overall I'm very pleased with this rifle, it's history and it shoots well to boot!

Joe, here are some full length photos .....I need a better camera.
Spud