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LOT 1049
Exceptional Antique Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 310854B, 44 WCF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue
finish, walnut stock. 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. It was often paired with a Colt Single Action Army or other revolver chambered for
the popular .44-40 W.C.F. cartridges. This made carrying ammunition for both your rifle and your revolver simple and allowed an individual to be ready to defend themselves against man or beast in a
variety of tough situations. This Model 1873 is in high condition and will look great in the finest of collections. The accompanying factory letter (copy) confirms the octagon barrel .44 caliber and plain trigger as well as stating the
rifle was received in the warehouse on October 8, 1889 and shipped on October 18. The rifle is fitted with Winchester No. 21 silver insert front and No. 22H rear sights. The rifle has a third model receiver with integral dust cover rail and
dust cover with grip serrations at the rear. The top barrel flat has the two-line Winchester legend ahead of the rear sight and “44 WCF” at the breech. The cartridge elevator is marked “44 CAL.” The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1873.” The lower tang has the serial number. 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 plain walnut.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 85% plus bright original high polish blue finish with some thinning to brown on the balance and some scattered handling marks. The dust cover is mostly a smooth brown-gray patina. 85% plus original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The hammer retains 85% original case colors with some light pitting visible on the right side. The lever and buttplate retain 60% original case colors. The wood is also excellent with some minor handling marks and most of the original finish remaining. Mechanically excellent. A high condition, very well cared for Winchester Model 1873 Rifle in always desirable .44 WCF. High condition Model 1873s are increasingly becoming difficult to find.
Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection.
Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000
LOT 1050
Attractive Documented Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1894
Lightweight Takedown Lever Action Rifle in Desirable .25-35 W.C.F. Caliber with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 282279, 25-35 WCF cal., 24 inch lightweight round bbl., blue
finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1905 with standard two-line address followed by the
patent marking, two-line nickel steel marking, and “25-35 W.C.F.” on the special order, 24 inch, rapid
taper, lightweight barrel. There are Winchester factory oval proofs on top of the barrel and on the receiver at the breech. Import
marked on underside of barrel. The three-line model/trademark marking is on the upper tang and serial number on the bottom of the receiver. The left side of the lower tang is
marked “22138 XOR”, with “22138” repeated in the stock inlet along with “94”. It is fitted with a ramped Lyman beaded blade front sight and three-leaf express rear sight. It is mounted with a
finely figured, H-style checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with a hard rubber grip cap and checkered shotgun buttplate. The included factory letter (copy) lists the rifle in .25-35 caliber with a 24
inch round barrel, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock with oil finish and a rubber shotgun buttplate, extra lightweight, and takedown when received at the warehouse on 28 November 1905 and shipped the next day. Out of the first 353,999 Model 1894s produced that the Cody Firearms Museum has the Winchester records for, only 1,661 had 24 inch barrels (per included copy of page 16 to the excerpt from the
ARMAX Cody Firearms Museum journal rarity study).
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish, 95% plus of the original nitre blue on the loading gate, and 80% plus of the vibrant original case colors with the balance having thinned to a
smooth grey patina and a couple small patches of light pitting on either side near the takedown collar. The wood is also very fine with some scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A very attractively configured special order, lightweight, Winchester deluxe Model 1894 rifle!
Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection.
44 Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000