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LOT 29
Attractive Documented
Antique Special Order Winchester Second Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Scarce Nickel Finish, Fancy Stock, and Factory Letter
- Serial no. 33637, 44 WCF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue/nickel finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1879, this Winchester Model 1873 has the second
model receiver with dust cover guide retained with two screws and dust cover with the sunken, checkered “thumbprint” grip area. According to Winchester historian
George Madis, only one out of every 600 Model 1873s were special ordered with a plated finish, either full or half like this example. Madis also notes that only one out of every 600
were ordered with special wood like this specific rifle. The included factory letter lists the rifle with an octagon barrel, nickel finish, set trigger, sling and swivels, and fancy stock when received at the
warehouse on 9 April 1879 and shipped on 10 April 1879 in order number 15092. All of these special order features would have made the rifle particularly desirable on the Western Frontier, the durable finish,
set trigger for accuracy, and sling swivels for portability. The top barrel flat has the standard two-line address/King’s patent marking, and it correctly lacks caliber markings as .44-40 W.C.F. was standard. The model
designation is marked on the upper tang and the serial number is on the lower tang. The left side of the lower tang is marked “XX 6”, with “6” repeated inside the stock inlet and inside the buttplate (one of the buttplate screws
is broken, but in place). It is fitted with a blade front sight (blade absent), elevation adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight, a special order set trigger, and special order sling swivels. It is mounted with a very finely figured, smooth
forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate (cleaning rod not included).
CONDITION: Fine, retains strong traces of original blue finish in sheltered areas and 75% of the untouched original nickel finish with the balance having thinned/flaked to mostly a smooth brown patina with some scattered patches
of light pitting/oxidation, all typical of gun that saw time in the American West. The slightly dry wood is also fine with scattered minor dings and scratches, as would be expected on a working gun. Mechanically functions, apart
from the set trigger. This Winchester 1873 really has the “Old West” look!
Estimate: 6,500 - 10,000
LOT 28
Attractive and Rare Documented Special Order
Winchester Deluxe Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle with
Desirable “Nickel Trim” and Factory Letter - Serial no. 32637, 45-60
WCF cal., 28 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/nickel finish,
walnut stock.
Manufactured in 1883, this is a very
desirable example of a special ordered, nickel trimmed, deluxe Winchester
Model 1876 rifle. With a total production of just 63,871, the Model 1876 is already more
scarce than some of Winchester’s other, more prolific models. Adding into account that the
‘76 was primarily viewed as a heavy-hitting working and hunting gun, with many ending up
in some of the world’s harshest environments, many fewer have survived in any condition. Also
due to this working gun reputation, these guns were generally not ordered with deluxe finishes and features, making
these special ordered examples a true rarity. The included factory letter lists the rifle in .45-60 caliber with an octagon barrel, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip
stock, and nickel trim when received at the warehouse on 1 February 1883 and shipped the same day. Madis notes in “The Winchester Book”, that only one out of every 90 of them
were ordered with a plated finish of any kind, one out of every 400 ordered with special wood, one out of every 420 had a pistol grip, and one out of every 630 was ordered with checkered
wood like this example. This example has the “third model” frame featuring an integral dust cover guide and dust cover with grip serrations at the rear. The nose cap, frame, dust cover, and buttplate
have nickel plated finish, a configuration Winchester referred to as “nickel trim” in their ledgers. The top
of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and King’s patent marking as well as the
caliber marking at the breech, which is repeated on the bottom of the nickel plated cartridge elevator.
The upper tang is marked with the model marking and the serial number is marked on the lower tang,
perpendicular to the long axis. The left side of the lower tang is marked “XXX 1611 R”, with “P 1611”
stamped in the stock inlet and “1611” on the inside toe of the buttplate. It is fitted with a Lyman beaded
blade “Hunter” front sight, an “1876” marked folding ladder rear sight, and a Lyman combination tang peep
sight on the upper tang. It is mounted with a very finely figured, H-pattern checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with a horn insert at
the bottom of the grip and a trapdoor crescent buttplate containing a five-piece cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% of the thinned original blue finish, traces of the original case colors on the hammer and lever with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and a few patches of light oxidation. 90% plus of the
bright original nickel finish remains with some scattered very light flaking. The professionally restored wood is also fine with some mild handling wear on the forearm, a few minor handling marks, and mostly crisp checkering.
Mechanically excellent. An attractive Model 1876 rifle in a rare special ordered configuration!
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
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