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LOT 3012
Antique Winchester Model
1873 Lever Action Rifle
with Factory Letter - Serial no.
474800B, 44-40 WCF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl.,
blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1894. The
Winchester Model 1873 is known as one of the guns
that “won the west” and was popularly paired with a
Colt Single Action Army revolver in the same caliber.
The included factory letter states the rifle was received
in the warehouse on July 2, 1894 and shipped on
March 13, 1895 with 299 other Model 1873s to work
order 8993. The letter confirms the octagon barrel in .44 caliber and plain trigger. This
Model 1873 is a third model, with the integral dust cover rail and dust cover with gripping
serrations at the rear. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and an elevation
adjustable rear sight on a barrel marked with the two-line Winchester address/King’s
patent marking ahead of the rear sight and “44 WCF” at the breech. Cartridge elevator is
marked “44 CAL.” The serial number is on the lower tang, and the model designation is on
the upper tang. Mounted with nicely figured plain walnut forearm and straight grip stock.
The buttstock is fitted with a trapdoor crescent buttplate (cleaning rod not included).
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance
and extensive scattered dark oxidation/pitting overall. 90% original case colors remain on
the hammer and lever. 40% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The refinished
wood is fine with a few divots near the stock toe, otherwise minimal handling marks.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 3013
Desirable Framed Universal Pictures Co. “Winchester ‘73” Movie Poster -
This is a genuine 1958 re-release Universal Pictures Co. advertisement for the
motion picture “Winchester ‘73”, starring James Stewart, Shelley Winters and
Dan Duryea, with Stephen McNally and others listed. Originally released in
1950, the film takes place in the American West of 1876 and centers around
the journey of a prized “One of One Thousand” Winchester Model 1873 lever
action rifle from one ill-fated owner to another. The film also helped to bolster
the carrier of James Stewart as an actor, received a nomination for “Best Written
American Western” from the Writers Guild of America, and was added to the
National Film Registry by the U.S. Library of Congress in 2015. The poster
is approximately the size of large window advertisements featured in the
lobby of cinemas, showcasing upcoming films, showcasing James Stewart’s
character, grasping the sought after Winchester Model 73, in heroic cowboy
posture standing large over a scene of settlers versus natives above the title
line, with a scene of a town shootout and Shelley Winter’s character in distress
underneath. The bottom corners of the poster are marked “Copyright 1958
by Universal Pictures Co., Inc.”, “Country of Origin U.S.A.” and “PROPERTY OF
NATIONAL SCREEN SERVICE CORP. Licensed for display only in connection with
the exhibition of this picture at your theatre. Must be returned immediately
thereafter” along with “11166” written in black ink and “R 58/26”. The walnut
frame measures approximately 43 5/8 x 29 1/2 inches, with the observable area
of the print measuring 40 1/2 x 26 1/2 inches.
CONDITION: The poster is very fine, showing vivid colors, some minor fold lines
visible, and minimal evidence of wear. The wood frame is also very fine. This is a
must have accessory for a Winchester gun room!
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
LOT 3011
Special Order Winchester
Deluxe Model 1894 Lever Action Takedown Rifle - Serial no. 430537, 30 WCF
cal., 26 inch part octagon bbl., blue finish, deluxe walnut stock. The Model 1894
was Winchester’s most prolific model, and due to its reputation as a “working gun”,
deluxe and special order examples such as this are relatively scarce, particularly in high condition.
Manufactured in 1909. The top flat of the part octagon barrel has the two-line address, and the upper left barrel flat has
the two-line nickel steel marking and “30 WCF.” A Winchester factory oval proof is stamped on top of the barrel and receiver at the breech. The rifle is fitted with a
combination Beach front sight, a folding two-leaf rear sight, a folding tang peep sight, and half magazine. The receiver is fitted with special order double set triggers. The rifle is mounted with
a very nicely figured, factory H-pattern checkered forearm and straight grip stock. The buttstock is fitted with a crescent buttplate. The sides of the receiver tangs are unmarked. The butt of the
stock and buttplate have the assembly number “5826.” According to the data published by Oswalt and Hawk, out of the first 353,999 Model 1894s produced, only 26,934 were takedowns, 10,512
had checkered stocks, and 26,579 had half magazines. Although this rifle falls out to the serial number range of the study, these stats still speak to the rarity of this rifle’s configuration.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 70% original blue finish with thinning to gray on the balance. Artificially browned magazine tube and cap. 20% original case colors remain on the hammer and lever.
The wood is very good with repaired wrist, dings, scratches, and softened checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: Property of a Distinguished Southern Clergyman.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3010
Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle in Desirable .45-70 Caliber with
Special Order 30 Inch Barrel with Factory Letter - Serial no. 102856, 45-70 cal., 30
inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1895, with a
special order shotgun butt and extra length 30 inch octagon barrel in highly desirable .45-70 caliber.
The John Moses Browning designed Model 1886 was the first Winchester repeater capable of chambering the .45-70
and had one of the strongest lever actions ever used in a Winchester rifle. The included factory letter states the rifle was received
in the warehouse on August 8, 1895, and shipped on February 22, 1896 with a 30 inch octagon barrel in .45-70 caliber and plain trigger. The letter also
provided the following repair and return dates: November 29, 1897, August 15, 1908, and September 8, 1908. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and an elevation adjustable
rear sight. Top barrel flat is marked with the two-line address as well as “45-70”. The rifle has the desirable casehardened receiver which was standard on the Model 1886 until 1902. The lower
tang has the patent dates marking as well as the serial number. “-MODEL 1886-” is marked on the upper tang. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a special order
Winchester hard rubber shotgun buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 70% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance and a few tiny patches of pitting. The bolt retains 95% original blue
finish. 40% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The receiver retains 30% original case colors with two extra holes drilled left side of receiver with filler screws installed. The wood is
excellent with some minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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