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LOT 46
Documented Antique Special Order Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Very Scarce Extra Heavy Barrel and Factory Letter - Serial no. 146307A, 44 WCF cal., 26 inch heavy octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1884 as a second model with the dust cover guide rail retained with two screws and dust cover with the serrations at the rear. The included factory letter lists this rifle with a special order 26 inch extra heavy octagon barrel and a set trigger when it was received at the warehouse on 10 January 1884 and shipped the next day with six other Model 1873s to order number 9835. A heavier than standard barrel was a special order feature that renowned Winchester author George Madis lists as only being found on one out of every 1,100 Model 1873 rifles, making it one of the rarest special order features. The top barrel flat is marked with the two-line address/King’s patent marking and correctly lacks a caliber marking. The extra heavy barrel is fitted with a later added, large German silver blade front sight, an elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight, and the rifle has a tang mounted long range peep sight and the previously mentioned set trigger. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate (cleaning rod not included).
CONDITION: Good, showing mostly a mixture of dark grey and brown patinas and a few scattered patches of light pitting, typical of rifles that were heavily used on the frontier. The refinished wood is also good with a few hairline age cracks and some moderate chipping, particularly on the right where a large chip is seen that shows years of use after it occurred. Mechanically fine. A character rich Model 1873 that has all the appearances of having been special ordered by a western hunter or frontiersman!
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 47
Antique Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 51947, 40-65 WCF cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut
stock. Manufactured in 1891 with the desirable early casehardened receiver found only on Model 1886 rifles manufactured prior to 1902. The
Model 1886 was designed by John Browning and provided heavy firepower in a rugged and durable design, two very desirable traits on the frontier
or anywhere in the American West. The top barrel flat is marked with the two-line address in front of the rear sight and the caliber marking at the breech. The upper tang has the model designation, and the lower tang is marked with the two-line patent dates and the serial number. It is fitted with a later added King’s patent, beaded blade, sun reflector front sight and an elevation adjustable notch rear sight. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Good, showing mostly the bright grey patina of a rifle that was used extensively but well maintained, and some scattered patches of light pitting, mostly on the left of the barrel and magazine just ahead of the forearm. The wood is also good with a couple hairline cracks in the buttstock, an absent sliver
from the wrist, and the scattered light handling marks of a working gun. Mechanically excellent. An honest Model 1886 that isn’t hard to imagine providing years of trusted service on the frontier!
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 48
Documented Austin, Texas Shipped Colt
First Generation Single Action Army Revolver
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 260330, 32 WCF cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1904, this First Generation Single Action Army has every appearance of being a working man’s gun on the Texas prairie. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed)
as well as shipment to Walter Tips C/O W.B. Fox & Bros. in Austin, Texas. Tips operated a hardware store at 710 Congress Ave in Austin starting c. 1872. It has the standard two-line address on top of the barrel, caliber marking on the left, and two-line patent date on the left side of the frame along with the Rampant Colt. Matching serial numbers are visible on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, and the loading
gate has the assembly number “774”. It has standard features.
CONDITION: Very good as worked on the Texas prairie, retains 20% of the original blue finish and traces of the original case colors in sheltered areas with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and some scattered small patches of light pitting, as is typical of these Texas working guns. The grips are also very good showing some slight fading to an attractive chocolate brown from years spent in a holster as a trusted companion, and a few scattered minor scuffs in the otherwise well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
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