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LOT 1075
Documented Special Order Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Casehardened Receiver, Rare 62-B Peep Sight, and Factory Letter - Serial no. 125728A, 38-40 WCF cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is a fine example of a special order Winchester Model 1873 lever action rifle that was manufactured in 1883 with a casehardened receiver. Though the Model 1873 was often viewed as working gun, there were some discerning customers, particularly on the Western Frontier, who ordered firearms to their exact specifications, regardless of the extra cost. This particular example is a Second Model with the dust cover rail secured by screws to the top of the receiver. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line address/King’s Improvement patent dates ahead of the rear sight, “38 -CAL” at the breech and “38 CAL.” on
LOT 1076
the bottom of the brass cartridge elevator. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1873” (partially covered by the tang mounted peep sight), and the serial number is marked on the lower tang. The barrel is equipped with a blade front and adjustable buckhorn rear sporting sights. It is also equipped with a rare, original and desirable 62-B peep tang sight marked with “PAT. JUNE 14. 1881” (the same day Billy the Kid was shot by Pat Garrett). The barrel and magazine tube are blue and the remaining parts are casehardened. Mounted with fancy walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a steel shotgun buttplate. The accompanying factory letter verifies the caliber, round barrel, plain trigger, “Fancy” stock, (no mention of shotgun butt) peep and globe sights, casehardened, and that it was received in and shipped out of the warehouse to order number 6006 on August 4, 1883. CONDITION: Fine. The barrel retains 60% plus of the original dull blue finish with some muzzle wear and areas of smooth brown patina. The magazine tube has a smooth brown patina. The receiver retains strong original faded case colors mixed with areas that have silvered out and smooth brown patina. The hammer also shows strong traces of original case colors mixed with a smooth mottled gray patina. The wood is also fine showing scattered minor scratches and dings. The markings remain crisp and clear. All typical of a gun ordered with exact specifications to be used, potentially in the American West. Mechanically excellent. This is a rare and attractive documented special order Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle that shows the intriguing combination of both special order features and the look of a gun that has stories to tell! Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action
Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 156999,
44 Henry RF cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue/bright finish, walnut stock. Manufactured
in 1883, these Model 1866 carbines were highly valued in the American West, both for their durability and their mobile firepower. The carbine features a block front sight mounted behind the front barrel band, “1873” marked notch and ladder rear sight, the two-line address and patent marking on top of the barrel ahead of the
rear sight “.44 R.F.” on top at the breech, a saddle ring on the left side, the serial number in script on the lower tang, iron buttplate, sectional cleaning rod in
the stock compartment, and smooth carbine stock and forearm.
CONDITION: Very good plus with attractive aged patina on the fine frame,
40% original nitre blue on the loading gate, traces of case colors and blue
finish, mottled gray patina and mild pitting on the barrel and magazine, and
general mild overall wear. The wood is fine and has some scratches and dings,
a hairline crack at the butt, and general mild wear. Mechanically excellent. A
solid representative example of a “Yellow Boy” 1866 saddle ring carbine that has the look of having spent time on the Frontier!
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
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LOT 1077
Smith & Wesson .44 Double Action First Model Revolver with Scarce 4 Inch Barrel and Pearl Grips - Serial no. 8463, 44 S&W Russian cal., 4 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. All frames of the .44 Double Action First Model Revolver were manufactured between 1881 and 1898, but this model was listed in the company catalogs and sold up until 1913. This example has the desirable 4 inch barrel, the shortest barrel length S&W offered on this model. The revolver has the two-line S&W barrel rib legend, pearl grips, and matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% original nickel plating. 60% original blue finish remains on the trigger guard. The hammer and trigger guard retain 85% original case colors. The grips are also very fine with a filled chip and the heel (left panel) and highly attractive fiery colors. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500