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LOT 1014
Stunning and Fresh Antique Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action
Saddle Ring Carbine in .44-40 W.C.F. - Serial no. 91749A, 44-40 WCF cal.,
20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1882, this is
a benchmark example of one of the legendary “guns that won the west”,
the Winchester Model 1873 saddle ring carbine. Just like the Winchester
Model 1866 lever action, the Colt Single Action Army revolver, and the
Sharps single shot rifle, the Winchester Model 1873 is remembered as
one of the iconic weapons of America’s western frontier. Though these
guns were produced in very large numbers, the vast majority of them,
particularly non-deluxe examples, saw long and hard working lives as tools
rather than collector’s items, leaving very few examples in the high levels
of condition this one is in. These prolific and trustworthy repeaters would
have been a common sight in the hands of anyone in search of rapid
firepower in the West, including settlers, prospectors, cowboys, ranchers,
Native Americans, outlaws, and lawmen. Undoubtedly, when one views
Winchester’s ‘73, the mind immediately associates it with the romance, the
struggle, and the turmoil of westward expansion and the taming of the
North American frontier, however, there were other frontiers which these
powerful and dependable arms made their way to around the globe. It
is quite possible that this example, with its London proofmarks, found its
way to one of the worlds lesser known frontiers, likely one of those at the
fringes of the British Empire. Given the high condition of this particular
example, one can imagine that this carbine may have been purchased by
a wealthy dangerous game hunter in Britain for a trip to Africa or India.
While a carbine such as this would have been little use against dangerous
game, it would have certainly been a welcome companion when facing
many of the other dangers, man or beast, that either of those continents
had to offer. While its destination and adventures remain unknown to us,
the care that it was shown in its journeys are clearly evident, as they have
left this ‘73 carbine in truly outstanding condition and ready to become a
centerpiece of a Winchester collection. This example has the Third Model
receiver featuring the integral dust cover guide and the dust cover with
serrations at the rear.
Benchmark Example of the Iconic Winchester Model 1873 Carbine
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