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LOT 3002
Very Scarce Factory Smoothbore Marked Winchester Model 1892 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine
with Nickel Finish, Winchester Trademark Plaques, and a Target Ball Mold - Serial no. 670614, 44 WCF gauge, 20 inch round bbl., blue/
nickel finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1912, this is a very scarce example of a Winchester Model 1892 saddle ring carbine with a factory
smoothbore barrel. This particular example also has a nickel finished frame and buttplate, as well as nickel finished plaques inlaid in either side of
the stock featuring the Winchester trademark showing traces of red enamel that once filled it. Smoothbore rifles, revolvers, and carbines like this one
were popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s among exhibition shooters, particularly for trap style shooting of glass target balls, clays, and other airborne items.
This example with the large Winchester trademark plaques and the nickel finish was almost certainly made by Winchester for one of their exhibition shooters for use at company advertising
demonstrations. The upper left of the barrel is marked with the two-line address and patent date. The left of the barrel at the breech is marked “SMOOTH BORE - 44 W.C.F.” The bore correctly measures at
.43 caliber as the barrels were pulled off the line before rifling grooves were cut. The upper tang is marked with the three-line model and trademark information, and the bottom of the receiver is marked with
the serial number. It is fitted with a pinned blade front sight, a folding ladder rear sight, and a saddle ring on the left of the receiver. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a carbine
buttplate. Included with the carbine is a very rare target ball mold made of brass and embossed with a conjoined “JE” on both sides. This mold would have been used to make target balls of the type this carbine
would have been used to shoot in exhibitions. Also included is a modern suede pouch.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 30% of the original blue finish on sheltered areas of the barrel and magazine tube and 85% plus of the original nickel finish on the remaining components, including the trademark
plaques. Faint traces of red enamel remain in the Winchester markings on the plaques. The wood is very good with minor handling marks scattered throughout, typical of a well-used exhibition gun.
Mechanically fine. The target ball mold is fine with attractively aged patina overall. A rare configuration Model 1892 carbine that was likely used by a Winchester exhibition shooter!
Estimate: 7,000 - 12,000
LOT 3003
Documented Factory Ballistic Lab Shipped Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Takedown Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 153508,
33 WCF cal., 24 inch lightweight round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1914, this very interesting Winchester Model 1886 is
documented as shipped to the factory Ballistic Lab in the New Tools and Cartridge Department. The included factory letter lists the rifle in .33 W.C.F.
caliber with a round barrel, full magazine, rubber shotgun butt, and takedown when received at the warehouse on 7 June 1916 and shipped the same
day in order number 782405 to “Ballistic Lab, New Tools and Cartridge Department”. The rifle has the standard factory oval proofs on top of the barrel and receiver
(double struck, factory error) at the breech. The barrel has the “lightweight” tapered profile which was standard in the .33 W.C.F. caliber and is marked on the left with the two-line address/
patent dates, nickel steel marking, and caliber marking. The upper tang is marked with the three-line model and trademark information, while the serial number is marked on the lower
tang. The left sides of the upper and lower tangs are both marked with two punch dots, possibly markings related to the factory stock replacement. It is fitted with a ramped Patridge
blade front sight and an elevation adjustable notch rear sight, and the rifle is in takedown configuration. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a steel crescent
buttplate, with the buttstock and crescent steel buttplate being factory repaired replacements.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 90% plus of the blue finish with some scattered light handling marks and specks of flaking. The replacement buttstock is also very fine with factory repairs
on either side of the upper tang and a few scattered light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A unique Model 1886 rifle documented as shipped with the Winchester Ballistic Lab!
Estimate: 7,500 - 10,000