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LOT 1037
Unique, Very Scarce, Documented, Special Order Winchester Deluxe
Model 1873 Lever Action .22 Short Rifle with Specific Stock Configuration
and Factory Letter - Serial no. 433145, 22 short cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue finish,
deluxe walnut stock. Manufactured in 1892. These Model 1873 rifles were desirable in the
American West, with all calibers, large or small, finding a use. This is a solid example of a Winchester
deluxe Model 1873 rifle in .22 Short that has an interesting set of documented special order features. The Model
1873 was considered a working gun and customers were
generally unwilling to pay for special order features at an
extra cost, making any special order feature like deluxe wood and custom drop at heel as seen on this
example highly desirable by today’s collectors. The included factory letter lists the rifle in .22 caliber with an
octagon barrel, plain trigger, blued frame, and a checkered pistol grip stock with a 4 3/4 drop when received
at the warehouse on 18 August 1892 and shipped the same day in order number 3048. The special order drop
stock is of special interest. As noted by noted Winchester historian and author George Madis, “Special stocks,
varying from the standard in length or drop, would be custom made and fitted by the factory for the few customers
who wanted them. The standard stock was made to fit and be correct in all ways for the majority of people, and very
few customers found it necessary to order a special stock” (“The Winchester Book,” page 602). The custom drop of stock is certainly one of the rarer Winchester factory special order
features a collector will encounter. The top flat of the barrel is marked with the two-line address and King’s patent marking ahead of the rear sight, with the caliber marking at the breech and
repeated on the cartridge elevator. The model marking is on the upper tang and the serial number is faintly on the lower tang. The left side of the lower tang is marked “555 XXX”. It is fitted with a
German silver blade front sight and an elevation adjustable buckhorn/sporting rear sight. It is mounted with an extremely finely figured, H-pattern checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with an
ebony insert, significant drop at heel, and a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 30% of the original blue finish and traces of case color patterns with the balance having thinned to mostly a plum brown patina and some scattered small patches of light
oxidation. The wood is good with some scattered minor dings throughout, heavy wear on the forearm, and recut checkering on the pistol grip. The magazine tube does not function properly, otherwise
action cycles correctly and is mechanically excellent. A very interesting special order Winchester deluxe Model 1873 with a lot of character!
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 1038
Desirable Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 36778, 44 Henry RF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is
nice example of a Model 1866 Lever Action rifle that was manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1870. The Model 1866 was the first gun
manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. after its charter was granted by the State of Connecticut in May 1866. The Model 1866 established the association
between the Winchester lever action rifle and the American frontier. Equally desired by frontiersmen and Native Americans, the “Yellow Boy”. This rifle has the distinctive all brass
receiver and side plates, forearm cap, cartridge elevator and buttplate with blue 24 inch full octagon barrel and full-length magazine. The hammer and lever are color casehardened.
The stock and forearm are straight grain American black walnut. The rifle has factory special order sling swivels on the forearm cap and stock.
The barrel has a large special order nickel-silver knife blade front sight blade and early Henry style folding leaf rear sight. The rear sight leaf has a
rounded top with 900 yard center notch and a elevator bar stop screw. The upper tang has a single screw and is not drilled and tapped for a tang
sight. The buttplate has a hinged trap door. The Third Model receiver has the serial number stamped in block numerals on the lower tang behind
the trigger. A small “B” Winchester inspection mark is stamped on the lower tang behind the serial number. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped
with the two-line legend “WINCHESTER’S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN.CT./KING’S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16.
1860.” ahead of the rear sight.
CONDITION: Very good overall with the barrel and magazine tube retaining traces of the original blue finish with the balance a crisp mix of aged
brown patina and some minor light scratches and fine pitted areas towards the muzzle area, probably from sitting in a leather scabbard. The receiver, side
plates, cartridge elevator and buttplate all retain a nice subdued mustard yellow appearance, with the edges of the side plates being nice and tight. The sanded/re-oiled wood is
good with some minor handling dents and scratches in some areas, with some heavier gouges on the upper front edge of the forend. The wood to metal fit is nice and close with
some slight shrinkage, since its only 144 years old! Mechanically excellent. A very nice looking all original Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action rifle.
Estimate: 10,000 - 16,000
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