Page 10 - 86-Book1

LOT 1
Documented Winchester Model 1876 .50 Express
Lever Action Short Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial
no. 13004, 50 express cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This Short Express Rifle Model 1876 is configured
similarly to the Model 1886 Lightweight in that it has a short 22 inch barrel (although not tapered), rifle style forearm, short magazine tube, and shotgun
butt. A similar example is pictured on page 238 of “The Winchester Book” by Madis. In the data discussed on page 253 of the above book, Madis notes that only
one of each 800 had a shorter than average barrel. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 22 inch round barrel in highly desirable .50 Express caliber, plain trigger,
1/2 magazine and shotgun butt. The letter also states the rifle was received in the warehouse on October 20, 1880 and shipped on November 9, 1880 with 5 other arms to order
22432. This rifle is a second model with a dust cover guide rail attached to the receiver with two screws. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and an “1876” marked folding ladder rear sight. The
top of the barrel is stamped with the two-line address/patents legend ahead of the rear sight and “.50 CAL” at the breech. The dust cover is marked “WINCHESTER EXPRESS/.50 CAL 95 GRS.” The cartridge elevator has
the factory “50-95” caliber marking and is faintly hand marked “Johny Fay” by a previous owner. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1876.” The lower tang has the serial number. This Model 1876 lacks British proof marks which are commonly seen on these .50 Express short rifles. The plain forearm and straight grip stock are walnut. Fitted with a smooth steel shotgun type buttplate. Per consignor the rifle “came out of California.” The .50-95 Winchester Express was the largest caliber available for the Model 1876 and proved popular with big and dangerous game hunters. Many Model 1876 rifles chambered for this powerful cartridge were shipped to England and then found their way
to Africa and India where they were often employed against big cats. Theodore Roosevelt loved his .45-75 ‘76, but he and other Americans scorned the .50 Express, and thus, the Model 1876 was only produced in limited numbers chambered for that cartridge compared to the smaller calibers.
CONDITION: Very good. 25% of the original blue finish remains, mostly visible in the sheltered areas, otherwise the rifle has a smooth brown patina. Traces of original nitre blue remain on the loading gate. The wood is also very good with an absent sliver at the upper tang and minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,000 - 8,000
number
LOT 2
Antique Winchester Model
1886 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine in .45-70 W.C.F. - Serial no. 95137, 45-70 cal., 22
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This classic Model 1886 carbine was manufactured in 1894 and is chambered in the popular frontier
cartridge: .45-70 Government. The John Moses Browning designed Model 1886 was the first Winchester repeater capable of chambering the .45-70. While
.45-70 was the most popular caliber for the Model 1886, research by John T. Madl in the available records found only 1,911 carbines in this caliber. This carbine
has a pinned blade front sight, notch and folding ladder rear sight, the two-line address ahead of the rear sight, the caliber behind the rear sight, a saddle ring on the left,
“-MODEL 1886-” on the upper tang, the patent marking behind the trigger, the script serial number at the rear of the lower tang, and a smooth carbine stock and forearm. CONDITION: Good with mottled gray and brown patina overall, mild pitting, general mild scratches and dings, and moderate overall wear. The refinished wood is also good and has numerous dings and dents from use, general scratches, a split in the forend tip, and some small flakes. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
s
8
LOT 3
Desirable Winchester First Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 10662, 44-40 WCF cal., 24 1/4 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 “thumb print” that rides in grooves mortised directly into the frame. Only about 31,000 First Models were manufactured. It is equipped with a blade front sight with thick base, an elevation adjustable sporting rear sight, a single set trigger, and the standard straight grain walnut stock and forearm with steel buttplate (compartment empty). The barrel is marked with the two-line address and King’s improvement patent marking, and the frame has “Model. 1873.” on the upper tang and the serial number in script on the lower tang. Since it is an early Model 1873, it correctly does not have caliber markings on the barrel or the elevator. CONDITION: Very good with strong traces of original blue finish in the protected areas, mostly a mottled mix of gray and brown patina on the balance, several ding and scratches, and moderate overall wear. The wood is good and has numerous dents and strike marks, general cratches, a faint crack above the toe on the left, and some slight loss at the edges. Aside from the broken adjustment screw for the set trigger, the rifle is mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250