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The included factory letter states the rifle was received in the warehouse on
December 30, 1886, and shipped the next day with a 20 inch octagon barrel in
.38 caliber, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, half magazine, casehardened
receiver, swivels, and sling. The rifle is fitted with a blade front sight and a three leaf
rear sight on a barrel marked with the two-line Winchester/King’s patent legend
ahead of the rear sight and “38-CAL” at the breech. The rifle has a special order half
length magazine. Again, we turn to Madis to point out the rarity of another rare
special order feature: one of each 270 Model 1873s had special length magazine. The
caliber designation “38 CAL” is marked on the brass cartridge elevator. The lower tang
has the serial number. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1873.” The rifle is a third
model with integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrations at the rear. Sling
swivels are mounted on the underside of the forend cap and buttstock. The buttstock
has a hard rubber insert in the grip and a trapdoor crescent buttplate (cleaning rod
not included). The 2X walnut forearm and pistol grip stock are checkered. The left
side of the lower tang is stamped “1346 38 and XX.” The assembly number “1346” is
repeated on the stock inlet and buttplate.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The barrel retains 80% original
blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. 60% original blue
remains on the dust cover. 75% plus original nitre blue remains on the loading
gate. The frame retains 70% original case colors with the most vivid colors in the
protected areas. The hammer, lever and forend cap retain 80% original case colors.
The buttplate has some pitting and retains patterns of original case colors. The wood
is also very fine with a hairline crack at the upper tang extending to the pistol grip
(left side), minor handling marks, most of the original varnish remaining, and overall
crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A highly attractive and rare example of a
special order Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Short Rifle missing from even the finest
collections. A must have for the serious Winchester or lever action collector!
Estimate: 22,500 - 35,000
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