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LOT 1006
Beautiful Gino Cargnel Master Engraved Roger
Kurtz “Custom Order” Winchester Model 1873
Deluxe Lever Action Rifle Built for Tom Selleck with Documentation
- Serial no. 37643, 44-40 WCF cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, deluxe checkered walnut stock. This Winchester Model 1873 is a second model
manufactured in 1879 with a screw attached dust cover guide rail and has the appearance of being an extraordinarily high condition factory engraved
special order Winchester. In his included signed letter, legendary American actor Tom Selleck states: “When I acquired Winchester 1873 #37643 it was well past any usefulness so I decided to undertake a complete restoration. My idea was to custom order a rifle to my specifications exactly as if the Winchester factory had done it.
Roger Kurtz was the right guy to do it. Roger did all the work for the Cody Museum. Roger agreed, but only if he could make sure it was not confused with a factory
lettered rifle. That speaks to just how good his work was. So Roger sent his own letter to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. Roger was a friend, and he has passed away now. He was a master at his craft and I feel his work should be recognized so I’m happy to share my Roger Kurtz ‘custom order’ Winchester 1873 Deluxe Rifle.” He also notes, “Roger always insisted on aging his Winchesters for accuracy before he would deliver one.”
A copy of the noted letter from Kurtz to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center is included and states that the rifle was rebuilt for Tom Selleck with a 28 inch octagon barrel, caliber .44
W.C.F., full-length magazine tube, “XXX” fancy walnut forearm and stock with checkering and a 15 1/4 inch length of pull, a crescent buttplate, sling eyes, engraving by Gino Cargnel
copied from original Winchester Model 1873 #30189, “T.W.S.” engraved on the right side plate, a saddle ring, sporting front and early rear sight, a Lyman No. 1 tang sight, color casehardened
finish, and a five-piece rod in the stock compartment. Kurtz indicates the rifle was completed on October 21, 1999. The rifle is exactly as described in the letter and is engraved at the muzzle, breech, forend cap,
frame, dust cover, and buttplate. Most of the engraving is classic scrollwork with beaded backgrounds but the left side of the frame also features a stunning stag scene with a tree and mountain in the background and
detailed foliage. Selleck’s initials are engraved in a banner on the right behind the loading gate. Winchester Model 1873 #30189 that inspired the engraving is shown on page 186 of “Winchester Engraving” by R.L. Wilson. The right side appears to have been inspired by Model 1876 #4901 which can be seen on p. 201.
CONDITION: Very fine as custom rebuilt for Tom Selleck by Roger F. Kurtz and custom engraved by Master Engraver Gino Cargnel. The rifle retains nearly all of the finish and has minor patches of light surface oxidation and some light handling and storage marks. The wood is also very fine and has crisp checkering, attractive figure, and smooth oiled finish. Mechanically excellent. This Winchester Model 1873 is truly a work of art and essentially looks like a new special order Winchester would have looked when it left the factory in the 19th century.
Provenance: The Tom Selleck Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 20,000
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