Page 33 - 88-BOOK1

LOT 17
Extremely Rare Documented Factory Engraved Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Short Rifle with Factory Letter as Photographed in the Winchester Engraving Book - Serial no. 549178B, 44-40 WCF cal., 20 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut checkered stock. The factory letter (copy) lists this extraordinary deluxe Model 1873 short rifle with a 20 inch octagon barrel in
.44 caliber, set trigger, “fancy” stock and forearm, “rod in the butt”, and style 10 factory engraving costing an extra $2.00. The letter indicates that this rifle was received in the warehouse on June 20, 1900, “To Russ- No Date,” December 3, 1901 (presumed returned to warehouse), shipped on December 4, 1901, charged to Gilson S.G. Co. of Rochester, New York, returned January 29, 1908, shipped on December 27, 1909, returned on January 1, 1910, “sales consignment a/c September 11, 1912,” and returned on October 19, 1912. A large series of entries is typical for Winchester’s well-traveled factory exhibition pieces that were displayed at various World’s Fairs, other international exhibitions, American exhibitions, and sometimes at important dealers.
The December 3, 1901 date might be for the return of the gun from the Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo, New York, from May 1-November 2, 1901. The inclusion of Gilson S.G. Co., which might be a misspelling for the sporting goods store Gibson & Woodworth, suggests that the rifle was displayed in Rochester, New York, from late 1901 to early 1908. The remaining dates suggest short term loans, likely to prominent Winchester dealers. This incredibly rare factory engraved Model 1873 short rifle was clearly a key display piece for the company and was likely seen by millions of potential customers circa 1900-1912. As such, it is an important piece of Winchester Repeating Arms Co.’s colorful history. The rifle was found in 1949 by Harry Sefried of New Haven, Connecticut, in a Winchester sales office and is pictured and identified on page 200 of “The Winchester Engraving Book” by R.L. Wilson.
31