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LOT 26
Outstanding Documented Special Order Nickel Plated
Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 122188A, 44-40 WCF cal., 20 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, walnut stock. The Model 1873 is the classic
“Gun that Won the West” and was popular with the Texas Rangers
and many others in the late 19th century. This stunning, full factory
nickel, “third model” was manufactured in 1883 and has the integral dust cover guide rail, the front sight just behind the front barrel band, a”1873” marked notch and ladder rear sight, and a saddle ring mounted on the left side of the receiver. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped “WINCHESTER’S-REPEATING- ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING’S-IMPROVEMENT- PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860.” ahead of the rear sight. The upper tang
is marked “MODEL 1873.” The serial number is stamped in script numerals on the lower tang between the loading lever latch and the tang screw. The carbine forearm and stock are nicely figured walnut with a trapdoor buttplate containing a three piece cleaning rod. This high condition carbine exhibits documented and highly desirable full factory nickel plating. As confirmed by the accompanying factory letter this carbine was received in the warehouse on August 31, 1883 and shipped the same day on order number 6150 with a nickel finish. Nickel plating was a flashy and more durable option for a frontier saddle gun, which resists corrosion better than blued finish. The nickel plating is a rare special order feature for a Model 1873 carbine, as Winchester expert and author George Madis pointed out, “Rifles in the 1873 model outnumber carbines by 20%, and only one of each 600 guns had plating.” Based on numbers alone factory nickel plated Model 1873 carbines make
for an extreme rarity in Winchester collecting, even rarer than their nickel plated rifle counterparts. Full nickel Model 1873s are difficult to find and when encountered these “working guns” are generally in rough shape. This fantastic example is worthy of the finest Winchester collection and will be a standout piece no mater how advanced the collection. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% plus original nickel finish with spots of dark oxidation visible on the top of the buttplate and magazine tube. The wood is also excellent with some scattered minor handling marks and retaining nearly all original finish. Mechanically excellent. A wonderful and rare factory full nickel Model 1873 carbine for the serious Winchester collector.
Provenance: The Ray Bentley Collection; The Collection of David L. DeLullo. Estimate: 45,000 - 65,000
As Winchester expert and
author George Madis pointed
out, “Rifles in the 1873 model outnumber
carbines by 20%, and only one of each 600 guns had plating.” Based on numbers alone factory nickel plated Model 1873 carbines make for an extreme rarity in Winchester collecting, even rarer than their nickel plated rifle counterparts.
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