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8
LOT 2
Consecutively Serialized Pair of
Winchester Model 1892 Lever
Action Rifles with “C.B.” Stock
Markings Attributed to the
British Royal Navy
-A) Winchester Model 1892
Rifle - Serial no. 722707, 44
WCF cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured
in 1913, this is a rare, consecutively serialized pair of Winchester Model 1892 rifles, which also, incredibly, have consecutive “C.B./442” and “C.B./443”
inspection/rack on the right sides of the stocks, markings which are attributed to shipment to Great Britain for use early in World War I. These rifles, as well
as some Model 1892 and 1894 saddle ring carbines were purchased by the British government early in World War I, with their primary use being to back-fill
Royal Navy armories on ships which were being emptied to arm the rapidly growing army, with at least one Model 1892 carbine being documented as used in
firing on a German U-boat. These two rifles have the standard Winchester factory oval proofs on top of the barrels and receivers at the breech. The upper left of the barrels
are marked with the two-line address and patent dates, as well as the caliber marking at the breech. The three-line model and trademark information is on the upper tangs and the consecutive serial
numbers are marked on the bottom of the receivers. They are fitted with blade front and elevation adjustable No. 24 notch rear sights. They are mounted with smooth forearms and straight grip stocks with
crescent buttplates, with both “A” and “B” rifles stamped “C.B./442” and “C.B./443” respectively on the right sides of the stocks.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 30% plus of the original blue finish on the barrel and magazine tube with the balance having mostly thinned to a grey-brown patina and some scattered light pitting and freckling throughout.
The wood is fine with scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. B) Winchester Model 1892 Rifle - Serial no. 722708, 44-40 WCF cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. See “A”.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 30% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth brown patina,
some scattered light pitting, and a few light dings. The wood is fine with scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
A rare and desirable, consecutively serialized pair
of Winchester Model 1892 rifles that are believed
to have made their way to Great Britain for use
during The Great War!
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 1
Scarce Documented Antique Special Order Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine with Saber Bayonet and
Factory Letter - Serial no. 164952A, 44 WCF cal., 21 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1884, this is an extremely scarce example
of a Winchester Model 1873 saddle ring carbine special ordered with a bayonet lug. It is unknown exactly how many of these carbines configured for use
with a bayonet were actually produced by Winchester, but given the rarity with which they show up on the collectors market, one can assume the number total
number was quite small. These carbines appear to have been made in a few different configurations, with some being setup to take a socket bayonet, while others like this
example have a lug for a saber bayonet. A very similar example to this one is pictured on p. 500 of “Winchester’s New Model of 1873 A Tribute Vol. II” by James D. Gordon, with that example being
marked for an Argentinian retailer, indicating that at least some of these carbines made their way to South America, possibly accounting for the few that appear on the North American market. That
particular example has the bayonet lug mounted on the barrel band. The included factory letter lists the carbine with “barrel extra length for saber bayonet” when received at the warehouse on 6 November
1884, and shipped on 10 November 1884 in order number 15939. The carbine has the Third Model receiver with the integral dust cover guide and dust cover with grip serrations at the rear. The top of the barrel is
marked with the standard two-line address and King’s patent marking, while the caliber marking is at the breech and repeated on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The model marking is on the upper tang, and the serial
number is marked on the lower tang. The special order length barrel is fitted with a block blade front sight, a saber bayonet lug on the right behind the barrel band, and a folding leaf rear sight. The left side of the receiver is fitted
with a saddle ring. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor carbine buttplate. Includes a Winchester M1873/1876 yataghan/saber bayonet marked “crown/W” on the right ricasso and “crown/M”
on the pommel of the brass grip. Also includes the bayonet scabbard.
CONDITION: Good, retaining 50% of the arsenal refurbished blued finish mixed with grey patina and scattered light pitting, typical of a carbine that may have seen military use in a harsh environment like South America. The lightly
sanded and reoiled wood is also good with scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically functions. The bayonet is fine with mild wear and the scabbard has moderate wear with some age cracking. An extremely rare, factory
documented 1873 carbine special ordered with a bayonet lug!
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000