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LOT 50
Historic Antique Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle in .44-40 W.C.F.
Attributed to G.W. Chapman of the U.S. Forest Service Who Rescued the
Original “Smokey the Bear” Cub with Documentation - Serial no. 108715A, 44
WCF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The Winchester Model 1873
rifles are known as one of the “guns that won the West”, however, they were also used as working
guns well into the 20th century due to their durability and ability to be paired with a Colt Single Action Army in the same
caliber. This rifle is an example of that, being attributed to G.W. Chapman who, while working for the U.S. Forest Service, discovered
and rescued a bear cub from a forest fire that would eventually become known as the original “Smokey the Bear”. An included notarized
letter from Chapman’s son lists the rifle by serial number along with the attribution, and a transcript of an interview with Chapman is included which details the discovery of the bear cub. Manufactured in 1882 as a Third Model with integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrations at the
rear. The top barrel flat is marked with the two-line address/King’s patent marking, it correctly lacks caliber markings as .44 W.C.F. was the only caliber initially offered, and “R.P.M” is hand scratched on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The model designation is marked on the upper tang and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is fitted with a blade front sight and elevation adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight. It is mounted with a smooth forearm hand marked “44W” on the left and a straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate (cleaning rod not included).
CONDITION: Good, showing its many years of service as a working gun in the American West with traces of the original blue finish in sheltered areas and the balance a mixture of brown and grey patinas and a few scattered patches of light pitting. The wood is fair showing the weathered grain of the frontier with minor handling marks scattered throughout. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 51
Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 217040, 32-40 WCF cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The Model 1894,
like many other Winchester lever actions, saw widespread use in the American West well into the 20th century by ranchers and farmers due to their
firepower and rugged dependability. Manufactured in 1904. The top flat of the barrel has the standard two-line address/patent marking and the
“32-40” caliber marking at the breech. The three-line model, trademark, and patent information is on the upper tang, and the serial number is marked on the
bottom of the receiver. It is fitted with a Marble No. 6 beaded blade front sight and an elevation adjustable notch rear sight. It’s mounted with a smooth forearm and
straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% of the original blue finish, faint case colors and original nitre blue with the balance having thinned to a mottled grey-brown patina, most noticeably on the receiver and
edges. The refinished wood is very good with some scattered light handling marks throughout and some areas of dark staining, typical of a rifle that was frequently used but cared for. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 52
Marlin Model 1894 Lever Action Rifle - Serial no.
323788, 38-40 WCF cal., 22 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1905. The top of the
shortened barrel is marked with the standard two-line address/patent dates and caliber marking at the breech. The model designation is
marked on the upper tang and the serial number is on the bottom of the receiver. It is fitted with blade front, elevation adjustable notch rear, and
a non-factory installed Lyman 56 peep sight mounted on the left of the receiver. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a
carbine style buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 75% plus of the original blue finish and strong traces of the vibrant original case colors with the balance have thinned to a mottled brown-grey patina. The refinished wood is also very fine with a few scattered light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,200 - 1,800
LOT 53 Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 212073, 45 Long Colt cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in early 1901, these Single Action Army revolvers were very popular in the American West through the “Wild West” period and into the 20th century due to their rugged dependability. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed), as well as shipment to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. in Chicago on 17 July 1901. Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. was a large dealer/distributor for Colt and many of the guns that went through them found their way farther into the American West. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address while the caliber marking is on the left. The left of the frame is marked with the two-line patent dates followed by the circled Rampant Colt. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, and the assembly number “198” is inside the loading gate. It is fitted with a blade front sight, groove rear sight, and a pair of unnumbered checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colts at the top. CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% of the original blue finish with some cold blue touch up on the barrel and 30% of the original case colors in sheltered areas with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and some scattered light pitting, typical of a frontier used gun. The grips are very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000 63