Page 20 - 87-BOOK2

LOT 1020
Rare Documented
18
Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Special Military Windgauge Rear Sight and Factory Letters - Serial no. 324821, 32 WCF cal., 24 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut checkered stock. This incredibly rare and fine rifle was manufactured in 1889 and is accompanied by factory letters from 1973 and 1982 and a copy of “A Very Special Winchester 1873 s/n 324821” by Warren Webster and Rick Hill which discusses on the special military windgauge rear sight and other special order features and also identifies the original owner of the rifle as legendary late 19th century marksman and writer Arthur Corbin Gould (1850-1903), whose works include “The Rifle” magazine starting in 1885 (forerunner of the NRA’s “American Rifleman”), “Shooting and Fishing” in 1890
which featured illustrations by Frederic Remington, “The Modern American Pistol and Revolver” in 1888, “Modern American Rifles” in 1892, and “American Rifleman’s Encyclopedia” which was published near the end of his life in 1902. Gould was a member of the Massachusetts Rifle Association and one of the most influential American gun writers of the late 19th and early 20th century. Countless American sportsman referred to his writing for guidance when seeking out new firearms and working on their marksmanship. Webster and Hill’s article states, “Attracted by the pristine original condition and the unusual configuration, this rifle was purchased by Warren Webster from noted Winchester collector Ivan B. Hart in August, 1973.” This rifle was in Webster’s collection for 44 years before being sold by Rock Island Auction Co. in 2017. Gould’s penname, “Ralph Greenwood,” was discovered by Webster handwritten on the back of the buttplate after he noted that some of the special order features of the rifle, in particular the rear sight, were discussed in Gould’s classic “Modern American Rifles.” The cover page of the book lists “A.C. Gould (‘Ralph Greenwood’) Editor of ‘Shooting and Fishing.’” In the book, Gould notes that thin front sight blades are liable to be bent and are harder to see for quick shooting and recommends a thicker “plain” front sight, and the book shows a normal “Winchester Open Front Sight” on page 37. On page 49, he features an illustration of the “Winchester Wind-Gauge Open Sight,” and the following statements below the image are particularly important: “A very effective device has been applied by the writer to a Winchester open wind-gauge sight, which prevented accidental slipping of the bar and yet permitted its use for windage. Holes were bored in each end of the sliding bar, and a small screw fitted to each; when the windage required was obtained, the bar was set fast by the screws.” The exact modification appears on this rifle’s sight. On page 99, Gould also recommends a