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LOT 2
Early Production Winchester Model
1866 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine with
Desirable Henry’s Patent Barrel Address - Serial no. 18261, 44 Henry
RF cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1868. These
Model 1866 carbines were highly valued in the American West, both for their durability
and their mobile firepower. Their rate of fire was nearly unmatched when compared to other
6
LOT 1
Fine Documented Winchester First Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 13904, 44-40 WCF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl.,
blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1876 as a first model with integral dust cover grooves on either side of the ejection port and dust cover with
checkered “thumbprint” grip area. Only around 31,000 of these First Models were manufactured. Very few have survived in very good or better condition. This
well above average condition example comes with a factory letter stating the rifle was received in the warehouse on January 31, 1876, and shipped on October
12 with an octagon barrel and plain trigger. This early production example correctly lacks caliber markings, as .44-40 W.C.F. was the only caliber offered until 1879. The top barrel flat is marked with the two-line Winchester address and King’s patent marking. The model designation is marked on the upper tang, and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight. It is mounted with nicely figured walnut forearm and straight grip stock. The buttstock is fitted with a trapdoor buttplate (cleaning rod not included). Known simply as “The Gun that Won the
West,” the Winchester Model 1873 Rifle stands as an icon of American firepower on the open frontier that
still resonates with modern collectors, especially those in high condition like this example. This first model
Winchester Model 1873 will be a worthy addition to any lever action or Western collection. It is certainly a
must have for the serious Winchester collector.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% original blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance. Patterns
of original case colors remain on the hammer and lever. 30% original nitre blue remains on the loading
gate. The wood is also fine with some minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. An attractive
Winchester First Model 1873 lever action rifle.
Provenance: The Collection of David L. DeLullo.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
long guns of the period. The 1866 is often cited as one of the “guns that won the west” and was carried throughout the Western Frontier by settlers, Native Americans, outlaws, lawmen, cowboys, and ranchers. Many of the Model 1866s were later converted to centerfire to utilize more advanced
cartridges; however, this example remains in its original rimfire configuration. This example has the desirable, early production, two-line Henry and King’s patent barrel address. There is an “A” marked on the lower tang. The matching serial number “18261” is marked on the left of the lower tang, in the stock inlet, and inside the buttplate (“8261”). It is fitted with a blade front sight, integral to the front barrel band, a two-leaf rear sight, and a saddle ring mounted on the left of the receiver. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good, the iron showing mostly a smooth dark, untouched brown patina with some scattered light surface pitting/spotting and the fine brass showing an attractively aged patina. The wood is good with some rough grain texture on the forearm and some scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically functions if the trigger is manually reset; otherwise, the hammer does not hold at full cock. This “Yellow Boy” Winchester 1866 saddle ring carbine really has the “Old West” look! Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500