Page 47 - 4091-BOOK2

NOTICE THE "10 O'CLOCK" SCREW LOCATED BY THE LOADING GATE, FOUND ONLY ON EARLY PRODUCTION WINCHESTER 1894 RIFLES.
LOT 1033
Highly Desirable Early Production Winchester First Model 1873 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 14498, 44-40 WCF cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Introduced in 1873, Winchester’s Model 1873 was, generally speaking, an updated version of their legendary Model 1866. The 1873 quickly gained popularity on the Western Frontier
and would forge a legacy that would see it remain one of the iconic
firearms of the American West, alongside the Winchester 1866 and Colt Single Action Army revolver.
This example was manufactured in 1876, when much of the American West remained an untamed frontier. These guns found popularity with settlers, lawman, outlaws, and Native Americans due to their
rugged dependability and portable firepower. The First Model receiver has the integral dust cover guides on either side of the ejection port and the impressed, finely checkered oval “thumb print” grip area. The
top of the barrel on this example has the standard two-line address and correctly lacks a caliber marking, as
the only caliber offered was .44-40 W.C.F. until 1879. The upper tang has the standard model marking and the serial number is on
the lower tang. It is fitted with a blade front sight that is integral to the barrel band, an early two-leaf rear sight, and a saddle ring on the left of the receiver. It is mounted with
a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor carbine buttplate (cleaning rod not included).
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 60% plus of the original blue finish, 50% of the original case colors on the hammer, mostly slivered out lever, and 40% of the bright original niter blue on the loading gate with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and a few scattered patches of light surface pitting/oxidation. The wood is also fine with some minor handling marks scattered throughout. Mechanically excellent. These early production Winchester First Model 1873 carbines are difficult to find surviving in any condition, a fine example such as this would make a great addition to your collection! Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
LOT 1034
Highly Desirable Antique First Year Production Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine Serial Number 1294 in Desirable .38-55 W.C.F. - Serial no. 1294, 38-55 WCF cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1894, this is a fine example of a first year production Winchester Model 1894 saddle ring carbine in .38-55 W.C.F. The first model receiver has the standard “10 o’clock” screw near the loading gate. These early Model 1894 carbines often saw hard use on the American Frontier and remain desirable in almost any condition, making examples like this one even more scarce. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two line address on top, caliber marking at the breech, and two small unknown proofs on the left at the breech, one a three-leaf clover-like symbol and the other a circled “A”. The upper tang is marked with the three-line model, trademark, and patent date, while the early, four-digit serial number is on the bottom of the receiver. It is fitted with a pinned blade front sight, folding ladder rear sight, a saddle ring on the left of the receiver, and a pair of non-factory sling swivels installed on the rear barrel band and the bottom of the buttstock. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a carbine buttplate. CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% of the original blue finish, 60% of the vibrant original case colors, and 30% of the bright original niter blue on the loading gate with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and some speckling of light surface pitting concentrated mostly on the sides of the receiver. The refinished wood is very good with some scattered light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
45