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LOT 18
Stunning and Rare, 1895 Winchester Single “W” Cartridge Board
- Manufactured c. 1895, this is an outstanding example of an iconic
Winchester advertising piece. These eye-catching bullet boards were a
staple of advertising in the late 19th and early 20th century, being a piece
that could both grab a customer’s attention as well as show off the wide
range of ammunition that was manufactured by Winchester. These sorts
of advertisements would have been seen in hardware and sporting goods
stores throughout the nation, with many being displayed for decades,
taken for granted, and not viewed as collector’s items, leaving few available
to collectors today and even fewer still in extremely high condition like
this example. This advertisement displays the wide range of ammunition
produced by Winchester from percussion caps up to the massive express
cartridges and large gauge shot shells. This is an extremely rare board
as it has both 1894 and 1895 vintage (30 WCF and 25-35 WCF) and 1895
vintage (30 U.S.G. and .236 U.S.N.) cartridges as well as Winchester Leader
12 gauge shotgun shell. Also, the Rival sectional No. 12 metal lined and
No. 10 blue Rival paper shot shells are all unique to this board. There are
three versions of this board known to knowledgeable collectors, this being
the last. The surviving number of this specific variation of bullet board is
believed to be very small. The ammunition is displayed in a large single “W”
pattern and additional cartridges are organized in star and circular patterns
as well as lines of shotshells on the sides. The board displays a dark brown
woodgrain background, “WINCHESTER/REPEATING ARMS CO.” at the top
in bold red and yellow lettering, a pair of ducks at center, and vignettes of
two hunters in the woods with a Winchester rifle aimed at unseen game
and a cowboy using his horse for cover as he engages a distant foe with his
Winchester. All of the cartridges appear to be present and remain attached.
The back of the board has the original “PRESENTED WITH COMPLIMENTS
OF THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. PLEASE HANG IN A PROMINENT
PLACE” paper label affixed to the top center. The overall display including
the frame measures approximately 37 3/4 x 50 3/4 inches.
CONDITION: Excellent as partially restored for preservation purposes, the
background of the board showing a very slightly darkened, attractively
aged patina, very minimal wear or handling evidence, and all of the
lettering and imagery remaining crisp and clear. The cartridges generally
show a mellow, age-darkened patina. The frame is also excellent, with a
couple very discreet, repairs, and showing an attractive patina.
Estimate: 40,000 - 70,000 21