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LOT 4
Antique Special Order Winchester Model 1894 Lever
Action Short Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 69300,
32-40 WCF cal., 22 inch part octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock.
Per the Madis serial number data published by Winchester, this rifle is legally
an antique. The factory letter indicates the serial number was applied on 28 September 1899. The included
factory letter lists the rifle in .32-40 caliber with a 22 inch half octagon barrel, a half magazine, and a plain pistol
grip stock with a hard rubber shotgun buttplate when it was received at the warehouse on 7 October 1899, and shipped
on the same day in order number 38764. According to the research conducted by Oswalt and
Hawk published in “Armax Vol. V” on the first 353,999 Model 1894 records, only 2,252 rifles
were produced with a 22 inch barrel, 26,579 had a half magazine, 13,703 rifles had pistol grip
stocks, and 17,768 had a shotgun butt, making this rifle quite a scarce configuration. The top
barrel flat is marked with the standard two-line address and the caliber marking at the breech.
The upper tang is marked with the three-line model, trademark, and patent information, while
the serial number is on the bottom of the receiver. The left side of the lower tang is marked
“8684 CF RB”. It is fitted with a Lyman beaded blade “Jack sight” and an elevation adjustable
No. 24 “Sporting” notch rear sight. It is mounted with a straight grain forearm and pistol grip
stock with a hard rubber grip cap and checkered hard rubber shotgun buttplate. Both the
forearm and stock were professionally upgraded with attractive, deluxe style, spade-pattern
carved checkering.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 30% of the original blue finish with the balance having
thinned to a mixture of grey and brown patina and a few scattered patches of light pitting.
The period non-factory checkered wood is fine with some scattered light dings and scratches
and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A fine example of a scarce configuration, special
ordered Winchester Model 1894 short rifle with tasteful period embellishment!
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 5
Framed 1958 Calendar for
the Mint Saloon of Montana
- Operating in Montana,
the Mint Saloon was most
famous as the home base
for Western artist Charles
Russell, who was given the
run of the house in exchange
for a number of his original
works, which decorated the
Saloon. Following Russell’s
passing in 1927, the Saloon
sold their originals. Measuring
approximately 20 3/4” x 14”,
the top half features Russel’s
work “Redskin Raiders” from
1902, above text noting “THE
FAMOUS MINT” as the “World’s
Largest Selection of Russell
Reproductions”, and the
calendar at the bottom, which
appears complete. Installed in
a glass-topped frame.
CONDITION: Very fine overall,
with minor handling marks.
Estimate: 950 - 1,600
LOT 3
Very Fine Winchester Model 1876 “Centennial” Lever Action Rifle in Highly Desirable .50-95 Express
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 35771, 50-95 Express cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured in 1883, this is one of only 3,284 Winchester Model 1876s chambered in the venerable .50-95
Express. The Model 1876, an up-sized version of their prolific Model 1873, was designed and introduced with those customers
in mind who felt they may need more power than the .44-40 cartridge had to offer. The 1876 was designed as a larger version of the 1873 that could
handle larger and more powerful cartridges. Naturally, this made the Model 1876, also known as the “Centennial Rifle” due to its year of introduction, very popular
among big and dangerous game hunters. At short range, the .50-95 Express, with its 95 grains of black powder behind a 300 grain hollow point bullet, was capable of stopping even the most dangerous game dead in its
tracks. Because of this incredible stopping power, these rifles found popularity among hunters and adventurers in the American West as well as British sportsmen, who found it particularly useful against tigers and lions in the far
reaches of the British Empire. This particular example is in the configuration that is far more often associated with the western frontier of North America, and it lacks the British proofs often seen on rifles sold on that market. A rifle
like this, with a single well-placed shot, would have been capable of stopping even the most dangerous North American game, including moose, bison, and bear at close range, as well as any human threats one might expect to
encounter on the frontier. It was also capable of following up that shot with multiple more in quick succession. While lacking the long range accuracy of some of the single shot rifles of the period, the 1876 in .50 Express made
up for its lack of range with delivering stopping power in rapid succession. The included factory letter confirms the rifle in express caliber with an octagon barrel and plain trigger when received at the warehouse on 6 September
1883, and shipped the following day in order number 7011.This particular example is a third model with an integral dust cover guide and dust cover with grip serrations at the rear and the Winchester Express caliber marking on
top, which was standard for rifles in this caliber. The top of the 26 inch barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and King’s patent marking, with the caliber marking at the breech. The caliber marking is repeated on the
bottom of the cartridge elevator. The model marking is on top of the upper tang and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is fitted with a No. 21 German silver blade front sight and a typical “1876” marked folding ladder rear
sight. It is also fitted with a pair of period-added sling swivels on the nose cap and the bottom of the buttstock, which appear to have been fitted outside the factory, an upgrade that was not uncommon for these large, heavy rifles.
It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate containing an included four-piece cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a brown patina and a few scattered patches of light pitting. 50% of the original case colors remain, most noticeably on the hammer
and sheltered areas of the lever. 40% of the original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The wood is very fine with a coat of protective varnish, some scattered minor handling marks, and a few very light edge chips around the
upper tang. Mechanically excellent. A fine example of Winchester’s Model 1876 in the powerful and highly desirable .50-95 Express!
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
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