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Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000
LOT 8
Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1876
Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 8011, 45-75 cal.,
28 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured in 1879 as a special order deluxe second model featuring a casehardened
receiver with a dust cover guide rail attached with two screws, a dust cover with thumb print
checkering, and a set trigger. The rifle is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, a folding ladder rear sight
LOT 7
Documented Special Order Extra Length Winchester Deluxe Model
1873 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 147758A,
38 WCF cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured in 1884 as a third model with a casehardened receiver featuring an integral
dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated rear edges. The accompanying factory letter confirms the
28 inch octagon barrel in .38 caliber, set trigger, checkered pistol grip stock and casehardened receiver. The letter
also states the rifle was received in the warehouse on March 6, 1884 and shipped the same day. The rifle is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, an elevation
adjustable rear sight, and a folding tang peep sight. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line Winchester address/King’s patent marking ahead of the rear sight and “38-CAL”
at the breech. “38 CAL” is stamped on the cartridge elevator. The left side of the lower tang is marked “5295 XX.” The assembly number “5295” is repeated on the stock inlet and buttplate.
It is mounted with a finely figured and “H” pattern checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with an ebony insert in the grip and trapdoor buttplate (cleaning rod not included). As listed in the Winchester 1875 catalog, the optional finish for a “fancy walnut stock” cost at least $5.00 extra. Special features such as deluxe wood were generally considered too costly and unnecessary for the
average customer looking for a reliable “working man’s gun.” Finding a deluxe Model 1873 in any condition is becoming increasingly difficult.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 50% original blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance. 30% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. The receiver retains 40% original case colors with the balance
silvered out. Patterns of original case colors remain on the lever and forend cap. The hammer retains half of the original case colors. The buttstock is fine with minor dings and scratches and overall crisp checkering. The forearm is very good with mildly worn checkering. The set trigger does not function, otherwise action cycles and functions properly.
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marked “1876” on the leaf, and a tang folding peep sight with the left side graduate from 0 to 75. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line Winchester address/King’s patent date marking ahead of the rear sight. There are no caliber markings. The serial number appears in script between the lever catch and the lower tang screw.
The left side of the lower tang is marked “XXX 282.” The assembly number “282” is repeated on the stock inlet and buttplate. The nicely figured forearm and pistol grips stock feature H-style checkering. The buttstock has an ebony grip insert and a trapdoor buttplate (cleaning rod not included). With an incorrect Ideal 44-40 caliber reloading tool. The larger caliber Winchester Model
1876 was popular among those in the west that believed .44-40 wasn’t quite enough stopping power for whatever they might encounter.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrel and magazine retain 50% original blue finish with extensive areas of deep dark pitting, mixed brown patina on the balance. The receiver retains 60% original case
colors with scattered patches of dark brown pitting. The forend cap, hammer, lever and buttplate retain 50% original case colors. 40% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. There are a some areas of pitting. The buttstock has been repaired in the grip area and has an overcoat of varnish, showing a few handling marks and overall crisp checkering. The forearm is very fine with some minor handling marks and overall crisp checkering. The set
trigger does not function, otherwise the
action cycles properly.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500