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LOT 22
Documented Antique Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1894 Lever Action Takedown Rifle in Desirable .38-55 W.C.F. Caliber with Factory Letter - Serial no. 18243, 38-55 WCF cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1896, the standard two-line address on top of the barrel and the caliber marking at the breech. The standard three- line model, trademark, and patent information is on the upper tang and the serial number is on the bottom of the receiver. The left side of the lower tang is marked “3550 XXX”, with “3550” repeated on the butt of the stock and inside the buttplate. There is also a handwritten note on the butt of the stock that appears to reference the special order length. It is fitted with a special order Lyman beaded blade front sight, elevation adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight, and a special order Lyman No. 21 peep sight mounted on the left of
the receiver. It is mounted with a very finely figured, XXX deluxe, H-pattern checkered forearm and special order pistol grip stock that is one inch longer than standard length with a hard rubber Winchester grip cap and a crescent buttplate.
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The included factory letter (copy) lists the rifle in .38-55 caliber, with a round barrel, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock 1 inch longer than standard, Lyman front and receiver sights, and in takedown configuration when received at the warehouse on 10 December 1896 and shipped the next day in order number 24177. The factory letter lists the application of the serial number as six days after it shipped which is obviously a factory recording error. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus of the bright original high polish
blue finish and 80% plus of the vibrant original case colors with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, most noticeably on the forend cap and buttplate. The wood is also excellent with a few scattered minor dings and scratches and crisp checkering, retaining most of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. A very attractive deluxe Winchester Model 1894 rifle with some rare and desirable special order features!
Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection.
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000