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LOT 3036
Antique Special Order Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with
Desirable Casehardened Receiver and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 103471A, 38 WCF cal., 24 inch
octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured in 1882, this is a fine example of an
antique, special ordered, Winchester Model 1873 rifle.
The included factory letter lists the rifle in .38 caliber
with an octagon barrel, plain trigger, rifle butt, and casehardened finish
when received at the warehouse on 17 November 1882, and shipped the same day in order number 590.
Winchester historian and author George Madis does not list the rarity of casehardened finishes, which are not
uncommon on deluxe Model 1873s, but are comparatively more scarce in the context of total production,
particularly on non-deluxe rifles like this one. These Winchester Model 1873s are one of the most iconic
American firearms due to their deep association with the western frontier as well as their common pairing with
the legendary Colt “Peacemaker”. This example has the third model receiver. The top of the barrel is marked with
the standard two-line address and King’s patent marking, as well as the caliber marking at the breech. The caliber marking is repeated
on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The model marking is on the upper tang and the serial is marked on the lower tang. It is fitted with a set of “sporting” sights, featuring a
No. 21 German silver blade front sight 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: Fine, retains 40% of the original blue finish, 30% of the original case colors, and 25% of the original nitre blue on the loading gate, the balance having thinned to mostly a grey-brown
patina, minor vise marks on the left of the barrel, and a few small patches of light pitting. The wood is very good with some scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
41
LOT 3038
Special Order, Individual Shipped Winchester Model
1886 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no.
151114A, 33 WCF cal., 24 inch lightweight round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1913, this is a rare example of a special ordered
Winchester Model 1886 rifle that is documented to the individual who purchased it. Winchester factory letters, while often quite thorough, rarely list the business or
individual the firearm shipped to, while this particular example lists both. The included factory letter lists the rifle in .33 W caliber with a round barrel, full magazine,
rifle butt, and rod in butt (not included) when received at the warehouse on 6 December 1913, and shipped on 24 January 1914, in order number 558957. It further states that
the rifle was shipped to W.E. Bell of Little Rock, Arkansas, and that it was charged to E.K. Tryon Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There appear to be two individuals listed as W.E. Bell in
period newspapers from Arkansas, one a jeweler and one the owner of an auto company. The upper left of the barrel has the two-line address, nickel steel, and caliber markings. The upper tang is
marked with the three-line model and trademark information. The serial number is on the lower tang. The “lightweight” profile barrel, standard in the .33 W.C.F.
caliber, is fitted with a ramped Marble beaded blade front sight and an elevation adjustable No. 24 notch rear sight. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and
straight grip stock with a special order trapdoor crescent buttplate. The stock shows some nice figure, a factory extra that is often seen on rifles with special
order features that were ordered with standard grade wood.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 90% plus of the original blue finish on the barrel and magazine tube, 60% of the original blue on the balance, and 30% of the
darkened case colors on the lever with some mild wear and some scattered patches of light pitting/oxidation. The wood is also fine with some scattered minor
dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. A rare documented, individual shipped Winchester Model 1886 rifle!
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3037
Winchester Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial
no. 23019, 45-75 cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The
accompanying factory letter confirms the octagon barrel and plain trigger. The rifle was
received in the warehouse on May 1, 1882 and shipped on June 12, 1882. The rifle is fitted with
a dovetail blade front sight and folding ladder rear sight
marked “1876.” The top barrel flat is stamped with
the two-line Winchester New Haven address/
King’s improvement patent dates marking ahead of
the rear sight. The receiver has the second model screw fastened dust
guide and dust cover with serrated finger guides. The rifle correctly lacks a
caliber marking. The upper tang is marked “MODEL 1876.” The straight grip
buttstock is fitted with a trapdoor buttplate (cleaning rod not included).
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel and magazine retain 95% professionally
restored blue finish. The forend cap, receiver and dust cover retain 85% strong
original blue finish with thinning and high edge wear on the balance. The buttplate retains 60% original blue finish with some pitting. 50% original nitre blue remains
on the loading gate. Patterns of original case colors remain on the lever. 70% original case colors remain on the hammer. The wood is also very fine showing some minor
dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000