Page 10 - 4095-BOOK2

LOT 1007
RARE and Well-Documented Antique Special Order Winchester Model 1873 Lever
Action Rifle in Rare .22 Extra Long Caliber with Factory Letter - Serial no. 275190B, 22
Ex Long cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1888, this is an
extremely scarce, one of only four known, special ordered example of a Winchester Model 1873
chambered in .22 Extra Long. This rifle being possibly one of as few as four existent examples
is not too surprising considering most Winchester 1873 related publications do not even
mention the .22 Extra Long as an available or existent caliber for the model. This particular rifle
is listed by serial number in one of the few publications that does mention the .22 Extra Long
cartridge, that being “Winchester’s New Model of 1873: A Tribute Vol. II” by James D. Gordon
on p. 519. Gordon states that .22 Extra Long is “By far the rarest of the 22s...” and that it is not
known to have ever been offered for the Model 1873 in any catalogue. The four rifles noted on
that page as ordered in the scarce caliber are serial numbers 194605, 233249, 251279, and this
specific example, serial number 275190. The included factory letter lists the rifle in .22 Extra
Long caliber with a 26 inch octagon barrel, plain trigger, and Lyman front and rear sights when
received at the warehouse 9 August 1888, and shipped on 11 August 1888 in order number
10567. This rifle has the Third Model receiver with the integral dust cover guide and dust cover
with grip serrations at the rear. The top barrel flat has the standard two-line address and King’s
patent marking and scarce “22 EX. LONG” caliber marking at the breech. The caliber marking
is repeated on the base of the cartridge elevator as “22 CAL./Ex.Long.” The upper tang has the
model marking, and the serial number is marked on the lower tang. It is fitted with a Lyman
No. 17 globe front sight, a spirit level in the rear sight dovetail (fluid absent), and a Lyman mid-
range Vernier peep sight mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a smooth forearm
and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.
8