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LOT 1052
Exceptional Antique Early Production Winchester First Model 1894 Lever Action Rifle with Desirable “10 O’clock” Screw Frame
and Factory Letter - Serial no. 4513, 38-55 WCF cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1895, the second year of production. The included factory letter (copy) lists the rifle in .38-55 caliber with an octagon barrel, plain trigger, and takedown when received at the warehouse on 8 May 1895 and shipped 23 May 1895 in order number 12594. The barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and “38-55” at the breech. The three-line model/patent markings are on the upper tang and the very early four-digit serial number “4513” is marked on the bottom of the receiver. The receiver is a “First Model” featuring an extra screw on either side which has become know as a “10 o’clock screw” by collectors, due to its position in relation to the loading gate. These First Model receivers are sporadically seen into as high as the 6000 serial number range, as the factory used up receivers in no particular order. It is fitted with Marble’s No. 3 beaded blade front (bead absent) and elevation adjustable No. 22B semi-buckhorn rear sights. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus of the bright original high polish blue finish 80% plus of the original case colors, vibrant in some
areas, with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and a few scattered very small patches of light surface pitting.
The wood is also very fine showing some nice figure, particularly in the forearm, with some scattered light handling marks. Mechanically
excellent. Both a very fine and highly desirable Winchester First Model 1894 rifle with an early four digit serial number, that would fill a
common void to complete even the most extensive Winchester collections!
Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection.
Estimate: 25,000 - 40,000
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NOTICE THE RECEIVER IS A “FIRST MODEL” FEATURING AN EXTRA SCREW ON EITHER SIDE WHICH HAS BECOME KNOWN AS A “10 O’CLOCK SCREW” BY COLLECTORS, DUE TO ITS POSITION IN RELATION TO THE LOADING GATE.