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LOT 3026
Documented Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Lever Action Short Rifle with Very Rare Extensive Factory Letter - Serial no. 424133, 44 WCF cal., 20 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened/ nickel finish, walnut stock. The accompanying factory letter (copy) lists this rare Winchester Model
1873 short rifle with a 20 inch matted barrel in .44 caliber, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, cheekpiece
and casehardened receiver when received in the warehouse on April 27, 1892 and shipped on April 28. Twenty inch
barrel Model 1873 short rifles are a rare variation. Winchester expert and author George Madis noted that these short
rifles “were most popular in the Southwest along the Mexican border and have usually seen long and hard use. They are often called ‘Border Model’ by
collectors” (“The Winchester Book,” page 162). This short rifle was later restored by Turnbull Restoration Co. to manufactured specifications including a new
barrel, stock and forearm. The original 20 inch octagon matted barrel and broken original deluxe forearm and pistol grip stock are included. The rifle is fitted with
a beaded front sight and a sporting leaf ladder style rear sight marked with graduations from 2 to 9 and stamped “1873.” The top barrel flat is matted and is marked with the two-line Winchester legend. The upper left barrel flat is stamped “44 WCF” at the breech. The third model receiver is casehardened and has an upper tang marked “MODEL 1873” and a lower tang marked with the serial number. The cartridge elevator is marked “44 CAL.” The deluxe 3x walnut forearm and pistol grip stock feature “H” style checkering. The buttstock has a cheekpiece, a nickel plated Swiss buttplate, and an ebony insert in the pistol grip.
CONDITION: Very fine as professionally restored overall, retaining 99% plus of the blue, casehardened, and nickel finishes with very limited handing marks. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000