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"The rarest and most interesting rear sight found on Model 1873s."
- author James D. Gordon, on the Seven-Leaf Express sight
The engraving was almost certainly executed by master engraver John Ulrich and is similar
to his work illustrated in “THE BOOK OF WINCHESTER ENGRAVING” by R.L. Wilson. The rifle is
accompanied by a factory letter that lists all the rifle’s features including the inscription and states
this rifle was shipped from the Winchester warehouse on December 27, 1882. Research identifies
“Hoopstad” as a town in South Africa located in what was once the Boer Orange Free State. Considerable fighting between the British and Boers took place in and around Hoopstad during the Boer War (1899-1902). “Duraan” is a common Afrikaner name and that Albertus Duraan (b. Orange Free State circa 1848) is very possibly the “A.I.N. DURAN” who was the recipient of this rifle. In addition to the special features, the top of the matted barrel flat is roll-stamped with the Winchester two-line legend with King’s Improvement patent dates. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped “- MODEL. 1873.-” in fancy letters with foliate designs at either end. The serial number is stamped in script across the lower tang behind the lever latch. The left side of the barrel is
stamped “F157U” just ahead of the forearm cap.
In addition to the silver-plated forearm cap, dust
cover, receiver and crescent buttplate, the rifle
has a blued barrel, magazine and loading gate,
casehardened hammer, lever and trigger.
CONDITION: Very good. The rifle shows moderate
wear associated with use in the field. The barrel
and magazine retain 90% of the period refurbished
blue finish with scattered surface rust and handling wear.
The seven-leaf express sight has 80% of the niter blue finish.
The sight leaves have some scattered patches of surface rust and
the sight base has light pitting. The engraved scrollwork is crisp and gold
inlaid presentation is nearly all present. The silver plated finish on the forearm cap,
receiver, dust cover and buttplate has flaked and shows moderate to heavy wear with
50% of the silver plating. The plated surfaces are lightly pitted and the buttplate shows gray
patina with mild pitting. The stock and forearm are also very good. The checkered panels are worn.
There is a hairline crack in the left stock wrist and an old chip in the left side of the pistol grip. Mechanically
fine. Although this rifle shows field use it remains one of the most elaborate deluxe, special order, factory
engraved, gold inlaid, presentation Winchester Model 1873 rifles extant, and one of the very few Model 1873 rifles fitted with the ultra rare and desirable Winchester seven-leaf express sight. A great opportunity to own a possible one-of-a-kind significant documented factory engraved Winchester presentation 1873 rifle.
Estimate: 35,000 - 55,000
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