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LOT 18
Rare Documented Earliest Known Winchester First Model 1873 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine Serial Number 47 with Factory Letter - Serial no. 47, 44 WCF cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Offered here is the earliest known Winchester First Model 1873 Carbine in extant, serial number 47. The included factory letter (copy) confirms the carbine configuration with 20 inch barrel as well as confirming the carbine was received in the warehouse on December 22, 1873, and shipped on January 10, 1874. The accompanying copy of the Winchester ledger, which is also presented in James Gordon’s “Winchester New Model of 1873” (page 48), indicates serial no. 47 was only the fourth Model 1873 carbine manufactured by Winchester after serial numbers 5, 33, and 36. This finding is confirmed by the included research letter from the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. The Model 1873 is one of the most famous of all American firearms and has been popularly known as “the Gun that Won the West” due to its popularity with pioneers. For collectors there a three basic variations to the Model 1873 with the primary differences between the styles found in the design of the dust cover guide and dust cover. The first model began the legacy of the Model 1873 that has endured to this day. As the earliest known Model 1873 carbine it will make for a standout rarity in the finest Winchester collection. These first models saw hard use, especially among pioneers headed westward, and surviving examples are becoming difficult to find, especially a first model carbine. James Gordon pointed out, “As seen elsewhere, the First Model 1873 (up to serial number 30,000) were produced in the mid to late 1870s. This was probably the mostly lively period in the history of the West, when frontier lawlessness combined with the raging Indian Wars. Guns shipped during this period were likely to be put to serious use there” (page 348). For his survey, Gordon only examined six Model 1873 carbines under serial number 350 or variation 1. Serial no. 47 is truly the rarest First Model 1873 Carbine for the advanced Winchester collector! The first models certainly have unique features that are different from all
THE LOWER TANG IS HAND ENGRAVED WITH MODEL 1873 AND THE SERIAL NUMBER, AN EXTREMELY RARE MARKING ON APPROXIMATELY THE FIRST 350 WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 FIREARMS
later production Model 1873s. The first model receiver features the distinctive dust cover held in place by grooved guides on either side.
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