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LOT 3027
Fine and Very Desirable Documented Winchester Model 1876 .50 Express Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 14076, 50-95
cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The accompanying factory letter confirms the round barrel in express caliber and plain trigger. The
letter goes on to state the rifle was received in the warehouse on July 27, 1881 and shipped on August 10, 1881. The .50-95 Winchester Express was the
largest caliber available for the Model 1876 and proved popular with big and dangerous game hunters. Many Model 1876 rifles chambered for this powerful
cartridge were shipped to England and then found their way to Africa and India where they were often employed against big cats. In North America they were used
against big game like brown and black bear, moose and bison. Theodore Roosevelt loved his .45-75 ‘76, but he and other Americans scorned the .50 Express, and thus, the Model
1876 was only produced in limited numbers chambered for that cartridge compared to the smaller calibers. This example features a second model receiver with a dust cover
guide rail attached with two screws. The dust cover is marked “WINCHESTER EXPRESS/.50 CAL 95 GRS.” The cartridge elevator is marked “50-95.” The top of the barrel is stamped
with the two-line address/patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight and “50 CAL.” at the breech. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight graduate to 1,000 yards and marked “1876.” The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1876.” The lower tang has the serial number. The forearm and straight grip stock are plain walnut and the buttstock is fitted with a trapdoor crescent buttplate (cleaning rod not included). CONDITION: Fine, retaining 50% plus original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance with some scattered pitting and the tangs have a smooth gray patina. 25% of the original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. Patterns of original case colors remain on the hammer and lever. The wood is also fine with some minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. A highly desirable Winchester Model 1876 .50 Express rifle from a bygone era of dangerous game hunting.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
receiver with integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated edges. It is fitted with a pinned blade front sight, a folding ladder rear sight, and a saddle ring on the left side of the receiver. The top of the barrel and receiver has the standard Winchester factory oval proofs at the breech. The barrel is stamped with the two-line address/patent dates legend ahead of the rear sight and
“44 WCF” at the breech, all on the left side. The brass cartridge elevator is marked “44 CAL.” The upper tang has the three-line model/trade mark information. The serial number is stamped on the lower tang. The buttplate has a sliding brass trapdoor, and the butt trap contains a three piece steel cleaning rod. The hammer and lever are casehardened, and the remaining surfaces are blued.
Mounted on a plain walnut forearm and straight grip stock.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 90% plus original blue finish with some scattered patches and speckling of patina. The wood is exceptionally fine overall with some scattered minor dings and scratches.
85% original case colors remain on the hammer and lever. This exceptional carbine version of the legendary Model 1873 will be a welcomed addition to any lever action collection. High condition Model 1873s are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Don’t let this one get away!
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
27
LOT 3028
Outstanding and Desirable Winchester Model
1873 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no.
709830B, 44-40 WCF cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue finish.
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 classic Model 1873 carbine is
in superb condition that will make a grand statement in any lever action collection. This late production Model 1873 carbine was manufactured in 1916 and has a Third Model