Page 28 - 88-BOOK3

LOT 3017
Historic, Documented Winchester One of One Thousand Model 1873 Lever Action Smoothbore Rifle Inscribed for H.G.H. Reed of Milwaukee
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 19675, 44 WCF Smoothbore gauge, 24 1/4 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The included
factory letter lists this unusual rifle as a “1 of 100” (factory error) with an octagon barrel, set trigger, and XXX stock with checkering. It was received in the warehouse on August 9, 1876, and shipped the following day on August 10,
1876 to fill order 6647. An included scanned copy of a Winchester 1873 factory
ledger record also reflects this information. “H.G.H. Reed./Milwaukee, Wis./Aug. 3rd 1876” inscribed in fine period script on the left side plate. The rifle is listed by serial number on page 395 of “Winchester’s New Model of 1873: A Tribute, Volume II”
by Gordon with the same details recorded from the warehouse ledgers along with the finish noted as blue. The inscription is also noted on page 460. Page 381 has a picture of
the named inscription on the left side plate of the very first “One of a Thousand” shipped (serial number 3419), which was shipped at an earlier date on April 26, 1875; it is of note
that the named inscription on the aforementioned gun is located in the same spot on the left side plate and matches the styling and font as seen on this One of One Thousand. This gun is pictured and discussed on page 77 of “Winchester 1 of 1000” by R.L. Wilson who notes the rifle had no
serial number when it was reported to Winchester and Universal Pictures as part of their search for 1 of 1000s in 1950. That same year, E. Hartshorne of Winchester suggested the original serial number was 19675, and that number is now marked on the lower tang. The left side of the lower tang has “XXXX 58,” the number “201A” has been noted on the barrel under the forearm, and “S,”“32” and “5340” are located inside the upper tang channel of the stock. The rifle has an unusual modification: the smoothbore barrel was turned down to round. The magazine was also cut back to just past the forend cap. The barrel has a German
Horatio Gates Howard Reed
silver blade front sight in a dovetailed base, three incised rings and some texture applied at the transition point, the standard two-line address and King’s patent marking, an elevation adjustable sporting rear sight, factory scroll engraving on the flats at the breech, the historic “One of One Thousand” inscription in script situated in an elongated oval panel on the upper flat, and a silver inlaid band at the breech. The First Model frame has the distinctive dust cover riding in grooves in the forward portion of the frame, the knurled “thumb print” on top
of the dust cover, the inscription on the left side plate, and “Model. 1873.” on the upper tang. It is equipped with an adjustable single set trigger. The figured walnut pistol grip stock and forearm have Style H checkering, a varnished finish, an added silver star on the bottom of the grip over the horn inlay, a blank silver oval where the rear sling swivel mount was originally located, and a smooth steel buttplate.
26