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too costly and unnecessary for the average customer looking for a reliable “working man’s gun.” Finding a deluxe Model 1873, especially a first model, in
any condition is becoming increasingly difficult. The rifle was later restored by Turnbull Restoration Co. to manufactured specifications including a new barrel, stock and forend. The replacement barrel has the two-line Winchester address ahead
of the rear sight and a facsimile of the “J.P. LOWER” marking at the breech. John P. Lower Sportsman’s Depot was a large
merchandiser of firearms and accoutrements in Denver, Colorado, from the mid-1850s to the early 1900s who stamped his name on the guns he sold. The rifle
is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, sporting rear sight, and No. 36 tang peep sight graduated from 0-250. The casehardened first model receiver has a dust
cover grooved guide, a dust cover with checkered overall finger grip, and set trigger. The cartridge elevator is unmarked. The lower tang has the serial number. Sling swivels
are mounted on the underside of the forend cap and buttstock. The buttstock is fitted with a trapdoor buttplate, and the butt compartment contains a four piece cleaning rod. The forearm and straight grip stock are select grade walnut with coarse multi-point checkering.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally restored overall, with 99% plus of the blue and casehardened finishes remaining with very limited handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection.
Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000
LOT 1036
Documented Winchester Deluxe First Model 1873 Lever Action
Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 23306, 44 WCF cal., 24 inch
octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The accompanying factory letter (copy) lists this rifle with an octagon barrel, set trigger, checkered stock, and casehardened
receiver when received in the warehouse on October 14, 1876 and shipped on
December 14. Special features such as deluxe wood were generally considered
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Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 1037
Attractive Antique Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle in
.45-90 with Factory Letter - Serial no. 14394, 45-90 WCF cal., 26 inch
octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The included copy
of the factory letter confirms the original .45-90 octagon barrel and plain trigger when it was received at the warehouse
March 5, 1888 and shipped on April 13 of the same year. Standard sporting sights on the blued barrel, and blued
full length magazine. Casehardened receiver, lever, hammer, and forend cap. Smooth forend and nicely figured straight grip stock. Fully restored to factory
specifications by Turnbull manufacturing, including a new barrel, forend, and stock. CONDITION: Very fine as professionally restored overall. 99% blue and casehardened finishes
with limited handling evidence. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection.