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LOT 19
Exceptional Documented
First Year Production
Winchester Deluxe Model 1901
10 Gauge Lever Action Shotgun with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 66360, 10 gauge,
32 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Offered
here is a spectacular first year production deluxe Winchester
Model 1901 lever action shotgun. The Model 1901 was a redesign
of the Model 1887 shotgun offered in 10 gauge only, and production
serial numbers began at 64856. From 1901 to 1920 Winchester
manufactured 13,500 Model 1901s with deluxe variations being
extremely rare. This deluxe example was manufactured in 1901, the first
year of production, and is in exceptional condition, making it a true crown
jewel in Winchester collecting. Any high condition Model 1901 is difficult
to find, let alone a deluxe, as Winchester had trouble with the heat treated
receivers taking the blue finish. Moreover, this Model 1901 has an interesting
factory record. The accompanying factory letter lists this rare Model 1901
shotgun with a 32 inch barrel in 10 gauge and checkered pistol grip stock when it
was received in the warehouse on October 18, 1901 and shipped on October 21 (order
number 113951). The shotgun returned to the warehouse on November 20, 1901 and shipped
the next day with the configuration listed as “10 gauge, 32 inches, fancy, checkered stock” (order number
123701). The factory records list a third and final ship date of September 2, 1902 (order number 153963).
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