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LOT 3044
Highly Desirable Documented Antique Special Order Winchester First Model 1873
Lever Action Rifle with Extra Length Barrel and Factory Letter - Serial no. 14787, 44-40
WCF cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1876, this is an
exceptional example of a special order Winchester First Model 1873 rifle. The included factory letter lists the rifle with a special order 28 inch octagon barrel and a set trigger when received at the warehouse on 26 February 1876 and shipped 3 September 1877 in order number 9689. This rifle certainly strikes the figure of one ordered by a discerning customer, whose priority was longer range accuracy without frills. The desirable First Model receiver has the integral dust cover guides on either side of the ejection port and the final form of First Model dust cover with the 5/8 inch finely checkered “impressed thumbprint” grip area. The 28 inch barrel on this example is a rare and desirable feature, with noted Winchester author George Madis noting that only one out of every 600 Model 1873 rifles was ordered with a longer than standard barrel. Along with the desirable extra length barrel, this rifle
is also fitted with a set trigger, which Madis notes as ordered on one out of every 26 rifles. The top barrel flat is marked with the standard two-line Winchester address and King’s patent marking, and the breech correctly lacks a caliber marking, as early in production .44 W.C.F. was the only caliber offered. The upper tang has the standard model, marking and the serial number is marked on the lower tang. The left side of the lower tang is marked with the special order assembly number “646”, which is repeated in the stock inlet and on the inside of the toe of the buttplate. The left side of the lower tang and upper tang are additionally marked “7”, the meaning of which is unknown, but it may correspond to the last digit of the serial number or the year of shipment. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, elevation adjustable sporting rear sight with correctly checkered edges, and a Winchester long range peep sight mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a straight grain, smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate containing a four-piece cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% plus of the original high polish blue finish, 75% of the vibrant case colors on the lever and hammer, and 95% of the bright nitre blue on the loading gate with some light edge wear, some scattered light handling marks, and a few scattered spots of very limited pinprick type surface pitting on the lever and hammer. The wood is very fine with a few scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. This is an exceptional Winchester First Model 1873 rifle with sought after special order features that would make an excellent addition to your collection! Estimate: 25,000 - 40,000
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