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LOT 43
Very Fine Antique Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle - Serial
no. 401399B, 32 WCF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured in 1891, this is a very fine example of an antique third Model 1873
rifle. The third model receiver has the integral dust cover guide and dust cover with the
gripping serrations at the rear. The top barrel flat is marked with the two-line address and King’s patent marking, as
well as the caliber marking at the breech. The model marking is on the upper tang and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is fitted
with a Lyman beaded blade front sight, elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight, and a Lyman peep sight mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a smooth forearm
and nicely figured straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 70% plus of the original blue finish, thinning in some areas to show a plum brown patina, 40% of the original case colors, mostly on the hammer, and 75% plus of
the original nitre blue on the loading gate. The wood is also very fine with a few scattered minor scratches, scuffs, and dings. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250 53
LOT 42
Special Order Winchester Model
1886 Extra Lightweight Lever Action Takedown Rifle in .45-70 W.C.F. with Factory Letter
- Serial no. 143453, 45-70 WCF cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1907, this is a fine
example of a special ordered, extra lightweight Winchester Model 1886 rifle. The standard configuration of the extra
lightweight variant of the ‘86 was a 22 inch tapered barrel, half magazine, .45-70 W.C.F. caliber, and a hard rubber shotgun
buttplate. The included factory letter lists the rifle in .45-70 caliber with a 22 inch round barrel, plain trigger, half magazine, and a
rubber shotgun buttplate, as well as “Nickel Steel Barrel”, “Extra Light”, and “Winchester High Velocity Smokeless” sights when received at the warehouse on 5
August 1908. No shipping date or information is listed in the letter. The barrel has the standard two-line address/patent dates and caliber marking on top, while
the nickel steel marking is to the left of the rear sight. The upper tang has the model and trademark marking, while the two-line patent dates and serial number are on the lower tang. It is fitted with a
Lyman beaded blade front sight and an elevation adjustable notch rear sight. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a checkered Winchester hard rubber buttplate, as well
as the correct “extra light” hollow in the buttstock under the buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% plus of the thinned original blue finish, strong traces of original case colors on the hammer and lever, and faint traces of original nitre blue on the loading gate, with the
balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina and a few very small scattered patches of light pitting. The wood is also fine with numerous scattered scratches overall. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,250 - 4,750
LOT 41
Fine Winchester Deluxe Model 1895
Lever Action Rifle in .35 W.C.F. - Serial no. 85849, 35 WCF cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1914, both the barrel and receiver ring have the correct Winchester factory oval proofs,
which the one on the receiver ring offset to accommodate the factory matted area on top. The left side of the receiver has the standard
two-line address and patent dates and the upper left of the barrel has the nickel steel and caliber marking. The upper tang is marked with the three-
line model and trademark information and the serial number is on the lower tang. The left side of the lower tang is marked “8” and “808” is marked in the stock
inlet. It is fitted with a ramped, beaded blade front sight and an elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight. It is fitted with a very finely figured, H-pattern checkered,
Schnabel tip forearm with ebony insert and straight grip stock with a checkered hard rubber buttplate and non-factory added sling swivels mounted on each.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% plus of the original blue finish with a few patches of mild flaking on the receiver showing mostly a brown patina and some light high spot wear. The
wood is also very fine with a V-shaped gouge/stamp on the right of the wrist and otherwise minimal handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 6,000
LOT 40
Winchester Model
1876 Lever Action
Rifle with Desirable Freund Sights - Serial no. 13291, 45-60 cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue
finish, walnut stock. The Winchester Model 1876 Rifle made its public debut in 1876 at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition where it garnered the title
“The Centennial Model” in honor of the Declaration of Independence. By all accounts the Model 1876 was “a revolutionary gun,” as legendary Winchester expert
George Madis pointed out. Originally chambered in only .45-75 WCF cartridge, the Model 1876 offered a larger caliber for customers, particularly those out West,
who believed .44-40 WCF lacked the stopping power for whatever came their way. Only 63,871 were made c. 1876-1898. The model was fairly quickly supplanted by the
Model 1886, but the Model 1876 has that classic early Winchester appeal with its side plates, dust cover, and toggle link action. Surviving examples of the Centennial rifle are scarce.
The example offered here was manufactured in 1880, when a powerful rifle would have still been highly valued on the wild Western Frontier. It has a Second Model receiver with the dust cover guide retained
with two screws and a dust cover with grip serrations at the rear. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight (inserted backwards marked “APRIL 17, 1877”) and an elevation adjustable rear sight marked “Freund.”
The story of the Freund brothers as German immigrant gunsmiths traced its path westward much like the expanding railways and settlers seeking opportunity, as they set up temporary shops along their route. Eventually the
brothers settled permanently, with shops in Denver, Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyoming. From those two shops they became known for retailing and improving mostly single shot rifles, particularly the Sharps Model 1874, making
a repeater with their markings quite scarce. The Freund shop sold rifles to the likes of Philip Sheridan, George Cook, and Theodore Roosevelt. The Model 1876 found popularity on the frontier due to its larger and more powerful
chamberings, most of which were capable of dispatching the most dangerous threats the American west had to offer, animal and human alike. The top barrel flat has the two-line Winchester legend ahead of the rear sight and “CAL.
45-60” at the breech. The caliber marking is repeated on the bottom of the cartridge elevator: “45-60.” The forearm and straight grip stock are plain walnut. The buttstock is fitted with a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining 40% faded original blue finish with smooth brown patina on the balance. The magazine and ferrule have a series of tiny dings and some light pitting most visible on left side. Traces of original nitre
blue finish remain on the loading gate. Some patterns of original case colors remain on the lever and hammer. The wood is also very good with minor dings and scratches.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000