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LOT 1035
Attractive Antique
Special Order Winchester
Deluxe Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Desirable Extra Heavy Barrel, Casehardened Frame, and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 436920, 38 WCF cal., 23 1/2 inch extra heavy octagon bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1892, this is an attractive example of an antique, special ordered,
Winchester deluxe Model 1873 rifle with a rarely seen “extra heavy” barrel, the desirable casehardened
receiver, and a rare Swiss buttplate. The included factory letter states the serial number was applied
on September 27, 1892, and lists the rifle in .38 caliber with a 28 inch octagon barrel, rear sight
seat 21 inches back from the muzzle, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, Swiss buttplate, and
casehardened finish when received at the warehouse 5 October 1892 and shipped the next day in order
number 5904. The factory letter does not note the extra heavy barrel which appears to be a notation
error, as the barrel is factory original, though shortened along with the magazine tube during the
period of use. James D. Gordon in “Winchester’s New Model of 1873: A Tribute Vol. I” notes that in his
survey of 3,847 Model 1873s, they found 52 rifles which were fitted with heavy barrels, only three of which were chambered in .38 W.C.F.
If these numbers are extrapolated and remained consistent throughout total production, that would mean that only approximately 1.4%
of Model 1873s were special ordered with heavy barrels, and of those, only around 6% were chambered in .38 W.C.F. Gordon goes on
to state that most of the heavy barrels were found in the first and second model serial number ranges and that none were found in late
production, meaning that the previously noted percentages are likely even smaller. Gordon also notes that out of 2,889 rifles surveyed,
that only 11 had Swiss type buttplates, which equates to approximately 0.3% of production. Winchester historian and author George
Madis states that approximately one in every 600 Model 1873s was ordered with special wood and one in every 700 had checkering.
Madis does not list the rarity of casehardened finishes, which are seen fairly often on deluxe rifles, but are comparatively very scarce
when viewed in the context of total production. This rifle has the third model receiver featuring the integral dust cover guide and the dust cover with grip
serrations at the rear, which has a blue finish. The “extra heavy” barrel, measures approximately 1 inch in diameter at the muzzle. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line address
and King’s patent marking, as well as the caliber marking at the breech, which is repeated on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The upper tang is marked with the model designation
and the serial number is on the lower tang, perpendicular to the direction of the tang itself. The left side of the lower tang is marked “1234 SBC XXX”, with “1234” repeated in the stock inlet
and inside of the buttplate. It is fitted with a Lyman beaded blade front sight, an elevation adjustable No. 24 notch rear sight with slightly reshaped “wings”, and a combination peep sight
mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a finely figured, deluxe, H-pattern checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with an ebony insert on the bottom of the grip and a desirable,
special ordered Swiss buttplate with a nickel plated finish.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% plus of the original blue finish on the barrel, 30% of the original case colors, and 60% of the original nitre blue on the loading
gate with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina with a few scattered patches of light surface spotting. 95% of the original nickel plating
remains on the buttplate. The barrel and magazine tube were shortened by 4 1/2 inches during the period of use. The wood is also fine with a spot of varnish
absent on the left side, mild handling wear on the forearm, some scattered minor dings/scratches, and otherwise well-defined checkering. Mechanically
excellent. An attractive, rare configuration, special ordered Winchester deluxe Model 1873 rifle showing practical period modifications and honest use that
would make a fine addition to your collection!
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 1034
Fine Antique Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1885
High Wall Single Shot Schuetzen Rifle in Desirable .22 Long
Rifle - Serial no. 81129, 22 LR cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1898, this is
a very attractive example of an antique, special ordered, deluxe
Winchester Model 1885 High Wall schuetzen rifle. These Model
1885s were highly valued as target rifles during the peak of
the competition shooting craze of the late 19th and early 20th
centuries in America and Europe. The included factory research sheet lists the
rifle in .22 Short caliber with a No. 3 weight octagon barrel of 28 inches, a set trigger, spur lever, palm
rest, and a checkered pistol grip stock with a Dutch cheek piece and helm buttplate when received at the
warehouse on 4 February 1898 and shipped on 7 February 1898 in order number 3383. The letter also lists three
repair and return dates of 19 December 1910, 10 February 1911, and 12 April 1911, which explains the replacement
barrel, but other potential work remains unclear. The top of the No. 3 weight barrel is marked with the two-line address/
patent dates and the upper left flat has the caliber marking at the breech. The patent date and serial number are marked
on the lower tang. The left side of the lower tang is marked “5336 XXX U.S.” and “5336” is repeated on the butt of the stock
(the meaning of the “U.S.” marking is unclear). It is fitted with a windage adjustable globe front sight with spirit level, a filler in the
rear sight dovetail, and a peep sight mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a finely figured, H-pattern checkered, Schnabel
tip forearm with an ebony insert and fitted with a palm rest, as well as a very finely figured, checkered, pistol grip stock with a shadowline
cheekpiece and a Swiss buttplate which is numbered “11944” inside.
CONDITION: Fine as factory refurbished, retains 85% plus of the factory blue finish, with some light edge wear and wear on the buttplate, and 50%
of the factory case colors with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and a few scattered patches of light spotting. The wood is very fine with a
few scattered minor dings and mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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