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LOT 3005 Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Trapper Rifle with Very Rare Documented 16 Inch Barrel and Factory Letter - Serial no. 654416B, 44 WCF cal., 16 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Offered here is a very rare example of the Winchester Model 1873 with a factory short barrel of 16 inches. The accompanying factory letter (copy) confirms the rifle configuration with a 16 inch octagon barrel in .44 caliber. The factory letter also states the rifle was received in the warehouse on January 6, 1910 and shipped on January 8 to the New York department of Winchester Repeating Arms Co., ticket number 243006. For collectors 16 inches is a very desirable short barrel length as there is no need for ATF exemption! Winchester expert and author George Madis notes, “Special short rifles with round or octagon barrels from fourteen to twenty-two inches in length were available for those who would order them from the factory.” Any barrel length shorter than the standard 24 inches makes for a rare and special variation of the Model 1873 rifle. The rifle is fitted with No. 61A front and 44A 200 yard elevator rear sights. The upper left barrel flat has the two-line Winchester legend head of the rear sight and “44 W.C.F.” at the breech. Import marked on underside of barrel. The cartridge elevator is marked “44 CAL.” A Winchester factory oval proof is stamped on top of the barrel and receiver at the breech. The upper tang has the three-line model/trade mark information. The lower tang has the serial number. The Third Style receiver has an integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated edges. Measuring in at 7 1/2 inches, the forearm is the proper length for a short barrel 1873 rifle. The stock is fitted with a trapdoor crescent buttplate. The butt compartment holds a three piece cleaning rod. CONDITION: Very fine overall as professionally restored, retaining 98% plus of the blue and 97% of the case colors with some scattered handling marks throughout. Mechanically excellent. As a Winchester rarity, this Winchester Model 1873 Trapper rifle has all the features that the astute Winchester collector desires. Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection. Estimate: 11,000 - 16,000
LOT 3006
Attractive Special Order Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action Takedown Short Rifle with Rare Documented 19 Inch Barrel and Factory Letter - Serial no. 81533, 30 WCF cal., 19 inch part octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1900, the special order, part octagon, 19 inch barrel has the standard two-line address, nickel steel, and caliber markings. The included factory letter (copy)
lists the rifle in .30 caliber with a 19 inch half octagon barrel, plain trigger, shotgun butt, and takedown configuration when received at the warehouse on 4 January 1900, and shipped on 25 January 1900. The upper tang is marked with the standard three-line model, trademark, and patent date, and the serial number is on the bottom of the receiver. Import marked on underside of barrel. The stock inlet is stamped “533”. Only 44 out of the first 353999 Model 1894 rifles listed in the ledgers were fitted with 19 inch barrels, making this example, with its other special order features, incredibly scarce (per included copy of page 16 to the excerpt from the ARMAX Cody Firearms Museum journal rarity study). The barrel and magazine are factory quality replacements. It is fitted with a No. 21 brass blade front sight and a 44A folding ladder rear sight graduated to 200 yards. It is mounted with a standard grade smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a smooth steel shotgun buttplate. Includes the original barrel and magazine which haven’t been restored. CONDITION: Very fine as professionally restored overall., retains 98% plus of the blue finish and 97% plus of the vibrant case colors with a few scattered very light handling marks. The wood is also very fine with only the slightest handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection. Estimate: 9,500 - 14,000