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LOT 3027
Antique Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1894 Extra Lightweight Lever
Action Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 59380, 30 WCF cal., 26 inch lightweight round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut stock. Per the Madis serial number data published by Winchester, this rifle is legally
an antique. The factory letter indicates that the serial number was applied on 28 February 1899. This is a
very scarce example of a special ordered antique Winchester
deluxe extra lightweight Model 1894 rifle. The included
factory letter lists the rifle in .30 caliber with a round barrel, extra light, plain trigger,
half magazine, Lyman front sight, and a checkered “X stock, pistol grip” when received at the warehouse on
7 April 1899, and shipped the same day in order number 20171. According to the research conducted by
Oswalt and Hawk published in “Armax Vol. V” out of the first 353,999 Model 1894s produced, 17,768 were fitted
with shotgun butts, 26,579 had a half magazine, and 10,512 had checkered stocks. No numbers are available
regarding the number of Model 1894s ordered in extra light configuration, however, knowledgeable collectors
know they are quite scarce. The barrel has the two-line address and the caliber marking at the breech, while the
nickel steel marking is on the upper left. The three-line model, trademark, and patent information is on the upper tang, and the serial number is marked on
the bottom of the receiver. The left side of the lower tang is marked “7216 XXX S”, with “7216” repeated on the butt of the stock twice (one partially illegible), and the inside of the buttplate
stamped “C/85”. It is fitted with a Lyman beaded blade front sight on the dovetailed ramp base, which is typical of the extra lightweight profile round barrels, and a three-leaf express rear sight
with platinum inlaid center lines. It is mounted with a finely figured, H-pattern checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with a hard rubber grip cap and a smooth steel shotgun buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% plus of the original blue finish, 50% plus of the vibrant original case colors on the hammer and lever, and 40% plus of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with the
balance mostly a smooth grey patina, a few scattered light dings and scratches, and a few scattered patches of light pitting. The wood is very fine with some mild handling wear, a light edge chip at
the upper left front of the wrist, light scratches, and mostly well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. This is a rarely seen special order variation of a Winchester deluxe Model 1894 rifle!
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 3026
Exceptional Antique Winchester Second Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle in .44-40 W.C.F. with Factory Letter - Serial no. 69508, 44-40
WCF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1881, this exceptionally fine rifle has the second model receiver,
with dust cover guide retained with two screws and dust cover with gripping serrations at the rear. The Model 1873 is often cited as one of the “guns
that won the West”, and thus many of these earlier production, standard configuration, “working” guns saw hard
use on the unforgiving Western Frontier, making high condition examples such as this one very rare. The
‘73 found widespread popularity in the American
West due in part to sharing many calibers with
Colt’s legendary “Peacemaker”, allowing one to
carry a longarm and a sidearm that both used the
same ammunition. The included factory letter lists
the rifle with a octagon barrel and plain trigger
when received at the warehouse on 11 April 1881, and shipped
on 13 July 1881 in order number 26697. The top of the barrel has the standard Winchester address
and King’s patent marking. The rifle correctly lacks caliber markings as the Model 1873 was initially
only offered in .44 W.C.F. and it was considered standard. The model designation is marked on the upper tang, and the
serial number is on the lower tang. It is fitted with a set of “sporting” sights including a No. 21 German silver blade front and an elevation adjustable No. 22
notch rear sight. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 75% plus of the original blue finish, 85% plus of the vibrant original case colors on the hammer and lever, and 70% plus of
the original nitre blue on the loading gate with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and some scattered light dings and scratches. The refinished wood is fine with
a small discreet spot of filler on the forearm and some scattered light dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. It is difficult to find these early Winchester ‘73s in high condition like this!
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
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