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LOT 1035
Highly Desirable 1874 Production Winchester First Model 1873 Lever
Action Rifle with Raised Thumbprint Dust Cover Special Order Set Trigger
and Factory Letter - Serial no. 1949, 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. The rifle has
the very desirable late first model dust cover with integral raised “thumb print” that rides in grooves mortised directly into the frame. Only about 31,000 First Models were manufactured. This example was manufactured in 1874, the second year of the production, in a time when the American West was very much still wild. It has the standard two-line Winchester address and King’s patent marking on the top barrel flat and correctly lacks a caliber marking, as .44-40 W.C.F. was the only caliber offered this early in production. The model designation is marked on the upper tang, and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and elevation adjustable notch rear sight, as well as a special order set trigger. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate containing an included four-piece cleaning rod. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration including the special order set trigger, as well as receipt at the warehouse on 4 September 1874 and shipment the next day in order number 1814.
CONDITION: Very good, having the look of a frontier working gun, retaining traces of the original blue finish in sheltered areas with the balance mostly a smooth brown patina and some scattered light pitting. The wood is also very good, showing the signs of a well-cared for companion with some scattered minor dings throughout. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
LOT 1036
Winchester Model 1866 Lever
Action Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 101089, 44 CF cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue finish,
walnut stock. Many legendary firearms are often cited as the “Guns that Won the West”, however, there are perhaps no long guns more iconic than
the Winchester Model 1866 carbine. These carbines simply have “the look” of having been there when the West was being tamed and were carried for
decades on the frontier by lawmen, cowboys, outlaws, Native Americans, gold prospectors, and settlers. For many, these firearms were far more than
just a gun, but a means to put food on the table and simply to survive. This example was manufactured in 1872, when the American West was still very much wild.
This specific carbine was converted to centerfire during the period of its use, likely by an original owner, to extend its usefulness for many more years. It is a Third Model,
with the serial number marked in block digits behind the trigger on the lower tang. The standard two-line address and King’s patent marking is on top of the barrel. It is fitted with a brass blade
front sight, integral to the barrel band, and a folding two-leaf rear sight, as well as a saddle ring on the left of the receiver. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor
crescent buttplate containing an included three-piece cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Very good, the barrel and magazine retaining traces of the original blue finish with the balance mostly a dark grey-brown patina and the brass showing an attractively aged mellow tone, generally
appearing as weathered as the frontier that it likely spent many years on. The wood is also very good showing the lightly weathered appearance and scattered minor handling marks of a working gun that was cared for but not coddled. Mechanically fine as converted to centerfire.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 1037
Documented Antique Colt Black Powder Frame
Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter and Tooled Holster Rig Marked for Salem, Missouri - Serial no. 148169, 38 WCF cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Few firearms are more deeply associated with the American West than the Colt Single Action Army, with this example
having the “been there” look. These revolvers were not only popular with western cowboys but also law enforcement throughout the country due to their rugged dependability and firepower. Manufactured in 1892, this revolver has the standard
single line address on top of the barrel and the caliber marking on the left. The left of the frame has the two-line patent date marking followed by the circled Rampant Colt. The matching serial number is marked on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, and the assembly number “94” is on the loading gate. The initials “L/W” have been marked on the butt, with the “L” inscribed backwards. It has standard features and is fitted with a pair of checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant Colt’s at the top. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as shipment to Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. in Chicago, Illinois, on 7 October 1892, a large distributor in the Midwest who sent many items farther west. Includes a later production tooled leather holster and gun belt which is marked “SALEM MO.” on the rear outside of the belt. CONDITION: Very good plus, retains 30% of the original blue finish and 20% of the original case colors with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and a few scattered patches of light surface pitting. The grips are also fine showing moderate handling wear. Mechanically excellent. The holster and belt are fine showing some faint, attractive red-plum color and mild wear overall. This revolver and rig have the look of potentially having been carried by a Midwest lawmen or possibly carried farther west by someone wanting to remember their roots. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1038
Hopkins & Allen/Merwin, Hulbert & Company Large Frame Single Action Army Revolver - Serial no. 10714, 44-40 WCF cal., 7 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured from 1876 to the 1880s, these revolvers were known as the “Army Revolver” and had a total production of several thousand. These revolvers show some amazing engineering for the time period, especially when compared with their main competitor, the Colt Single Action Army. While ultimately out-marketed by Colt, there is no doubt that these Merwin, Hulbert & Co. revolvers have the feel of the luxury line of western gun slinging revolvers. Most of these revolvers received a nickel plated finish, whereas this particular example is blued, making it quite scarce. The top of the barrel is marked with the one line Merwin Hulbert address followed by seven patent dates, and the left side is marked with the one-line Hopkins & Allen address. The serial number is marked on the butt, and the matching assembly number “112” is marked on the rear face of the cylinder, barrel lug, left side of the grip frame, and hand marked on the inside of the right grip. The left side of the frame has the “WINCHESTER 1873” caliber marking. Integral blade front sight, frame notch rear sight, open top frame, scooped cylinder flutes, lanyard ring on the butt, and fitted with a pair of checkered hard rubber grips. CONDITION: Very good, retains strong traces of the original blue finish in sheltered areas with the balance mostly a mottled dark grey-brown patina and some scattered patches of light pitting. The faded grips are also very good. with some light handling marks and otherwise mostly crisp checkering. Mechanically needs work as the cylinder does not rotate when the hammer is retracted. This example definitely has the look of a revolver that saw many years of use on the frontier, potentially in the holster of a western gunslinger!
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,250 43