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LOT 5
Historic Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with English Silver Plaque Presentation
Inscribed to W.G. Newbery by Coleridge J. Kennard - Serial no. 32179, 44-40 WCF cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut stock. This rifle will letter with a 26 inch round barrel and arrived in the warehouse on March 29, 1879,
and shipped on September 19, 1879, in order 17030. The rifle has a round barrel with a German silver blade front sight,
the two-line address and King’s improvement marking, an adjustable sporting rear sight, and no caliber marking since .44-40 was
standard. The frame is the Second Model version with the screw secured dust cover guide rail and dust cover with “thumb print” panel.
The upper tang is marked “MODEL. 1873.”, and the lower tang has the script serial number behind the lever latch. Like the barrel, the cartridge elevator does not
bear a caliber marking. The rifle features a smooth walnut forend with steel end cap and straight wrist buttstock with a crescent buttplate (stock compartment empty),
small silver plaque followed by a larger silver oval plaque on the underside inscribed “PRESENTED/-TO-/W. G. Newbery/ in grateful recognition of services rendered to the/
Constitutional Party/by his friend/Coleridge J. Kennard/-May 1882-”. Coleridge John Kennard (1828-1890) was a Conservative Party politician and member of the Constitutional Union
in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, in the 1880s. He ran unsuccessfully for Parliament in 1880 and was then elected in a by-election in 1882. The newspapers reported a “Great Conservative
Victory at Salisbury” when he won by 103 votes. He remained an MP until 1885 when Salisbury’s seats were reduced. He was also a justice of the peace for the county of Southampton
and a commissioner of lieutenancy for London. Kennard was the managing director of the banking firm Heywood, Kennard & Co. and also a co-founder of the Evening News. William G.
Newbery was a relieving and vaccination officer for the Fourth Relief District in Salisbury as well as the master of the Alderbury Union Workhouse.
CONDITION: Very good with 30% original niter blue on the loading
gate, traces of original finish and otherwise gray and brown patina,
some dried oil/varnish, minor oxidation and pitting, and moderate
overall wear. The silver oval plaque has aged patina and a crisp
inscription. The wood is good and has a sliver absent from the right
side of the forearm, loose fit along the edges of the forearm, and
numerous scattered dents and scratches. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 4
Outstanding Famed J. Rigby & Co. Retailed Winchester Model
1876 Lever Action “Tiger” Short Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no.
6530, 45-75 cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured
in 1878, the larger caliber Model 1876 was popular among those in the American West
who believed .44-40 wasn’t quite enough stopping power for whatever they might encounter. These “big bore”
Winchesters truly had the stopping power to handle just about anything thrown at them on the frontier. As an example
with a London retailer marking, this rifle proves that the Model 1876 had international appeal. The factory letter states the
rifle was received in the warehouse on November 4, 1879, and
shipped on December 1, 1879, on order number 18396 with a round barrel, plain trigger, and
“lid,” a reference to the dust cover. This example is a Second Model with dust cover guide retained by two
screws and a dust cover with checkered “thumb print” grip. The left side plate has the London retailer marking:
“J. RIGBY & Co./72 ST JAMES’S ST/LONDON.” The barrel and magazine tube have been professionally shortened
during the period of use, likely by John Rigby & Co. John Rigby & Co. has a long and proud tradition of building
some of the world’s finest sporting arms and the company was adept enough to perform barrel/magazine tube
alterations on this Model 1876. In short rifle configuration (22 inch barrel) this Model 1876 would have proved popular
with big and dangerous game hunters. Large caliber Winchesters of the period are known to have been shipped to England and then
found their way to Africa and India where they were often employed against big cats. During the period when this rifle was shipped, British officers in India
found the Model 1876 highly capable at taking down tigers. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and three leaf rear sight (two folding, one fixed) with inlaid sighting lines. British proofs
appear on the barrel and receiver. The top of the barrel has the two-line Winchester address/patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight. The rifle correctly lacks caliber markings, as the only caliber
initially offered for the Model 1876 was .45-75 WCF. The upper tang has the model designation “MODEL 1876,” and the lower
tang has the serial number. Mounted with smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock. The buttstock is fitted with a trapdoor
crescent buttplate (cleaning rod not included).
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 80% London period retailer high polish blue finish with thinning to brown and gray patina on the
balance. 30% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. 20% original case colors remain on the hammer and lever. The
wood is very good with a couple shallow divots and minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. This J. Rigby & Co.
marked Winchester Model 1876 “tiger” short rifle will bring added dimension to any lever action or dangerous game collection.
A wonderful piece of history from a bygone era.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,000
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