Page 78 - 88-BOOK2

Collector’s Fact
According to research by WACA historian Bert Hartmann, this Winchester 1894 is one of only 259 carbines known as "Spruce Guns".
76
LOT 1069
Fine Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Lightweight Lever Action Takedown Rifle - Serial no. 147094, 33 WCF cal., 24 inch round lightweight bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1908, with the standard Winchester factory oval proofs on the barrel and receiver at the breech. The top of the barrel has the two-line address/patent dates, and the caliber marking is at the breech along with the two- line nickel steel on the left side. The upper tang is marked with the three-line model, trademark, and patent information. The lower tang is marked with the serial number and two-line patent dates. The left of the lower tang is marked “824 XX”, with “824” repeated in the stock inlet. It is fitted with a Lyman beaded blade front sight, two-leaf folding rear sight, and a Marble’s tang mounted peep sight. It is mounted with a nicely figured, H-pattern checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with hard rubber grip cap and shotgun buttplate. CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% plus of the original finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, most noticeably on the bottom and sides of the receiver. The wood is also fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches, extensive light flaking of the varnish, and mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1070
Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle in Desirable .45-70 Caliber - Serial no. 31830, 45 cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle is chambered in the popular frontier cartridge .45-70 caliber and was manufactured in 1889. The John Moses Browning designed Model 1886 was the first Winchester repeater capable of chambering the .45-70. The rifle is fitted
with a dovetail blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight marked “1886” and graduated to 1,000 yards. The top of the barrel has the two-line Winchester address ahead of the rear sight and “45-70” at the breech. The upper tang is marked “-MODEL 1886-.” The lower tang has the two-line patent dates marking and the serial number. The frame has the desirable
casehardened finish. The forend cap, hammer, lever and buttplate are also casehardened. The barrel, full length magazine tube and bolt are blued. The loading gate is nitre blue. The forearm and straight grip stock are plain walnut. The buttstock is fitted with a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine, displaying the characteristics of a “working man’s” rifle that spent a lifetime in a hostile environment while retaining 30% original blue finish on the barrel and magazine tube, 95% plus original
blue on the bolt, and 70% original case colors on the frame with broad areas of vivid colors. Traces of original niter blue on the loading gate. 95% original case colors remain on the hammer. Traces of original case colors remain on the lever. The wood is fine with minor handling marks and a streak of white paint below the lower tang. Mechanically excellent. A Winchester Model .45-70 rifle that certainly has a story or two to tell. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1071
Scarce Documented World War I U.S. Ordnance Marked Winchester Model 1894 “Spruce Gun” Lever Action Carbine - Serial no. 842117, 30 WCF cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Per a list supplied by WACA Historian Bert Hartman, this carbine’s serial number is one of 259 Winchester Model 1894 carbines known to be “Spruce Guns”. Similar to the coastal defense Winchesters of World War II, the Spruce Guns were purchased for second-line work, in particular for use by the Spruce Production Division of the Aviation Section of the Army Signal Corps, whose mission was to harvest the massive quantity of spruce wood needed to support the expansion of American military aviation. Staffed with a mix of military and civilians, twelve of the “Spruce Squadrons” acted as an armed security presence, armed
with a mix of Winchesters such as this and U.S. Krag rifles. This example was manufactured in 1917 and has standard markings including Winchester factory oval proofs on the barrel and receiver at the breech. The top of the receiver ring on either side of the factory proof is marked “US” and with an ordnance department “flaming bomb”. It is fitted with a pinned German silver blade front sight, folding ladder rear sight, and a saddle ring on the left of the receiver. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a carbine buttplate. CONDITION: Very good, retains 20% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina and a moderate scuff/flat spot at the edge of the muzzle. The wood is also very good with some scattered minor dings and scratches throughout. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1072 Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action .44-40 Rifle - Serial no. 175955A, 44-40 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 has that classic frontier look of a true survivor of the American West. The rifle has a third model receiver with integral dust cover rail and dust cover with grip serrations at the rear and standard markings including the caliber designation on the barrel and cartridge elevator. It is fitted with a combination Beach front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight. The buttstock is fitted with a trapdoor crescent buttplate (cleaning rod not included). CONDITION: Very good, retaining 20% original blue finish in and around the sheltered areas with a brown-gray patina associated with spending a lifetime in a hostile environment on the balance. The reoiled wood is also very good with some scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1073
World War I Era Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 760132, 30 WCF cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, gumwood stock. Manufactured in 1915. Standard Winchester markings including the Winchester factory oval proofs stamped on the barrel and receiver at the breech. Fitted with pinned blade front and folding ladder rear sights, saddle ring on the left side of the receiver, and carbine stock.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 90% plus original blue finish with the high points of the buttplate worn to gray, thinning on the barrel bands, and some flaking ahead
of the lever. The refinished wood is also very fine with some minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000