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LOT 3042
Very Rare Winchester
“Seal Gun” Single Shot Bolt
Action Experimental Pistol
Formerly of the Peter and Patty Murray
Collection - Serial no. EXP014, 22 shot cal., 6
inch round (inert) bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Developed in the late 1970s at the request
of the Canadian government, the Seal Pistol
was a response to growing pressure to find
a more humane way to harvest seals for the fur
trade than clubbing. The Seal Gun, designed to
government specifications, uses a Winchester
single shot 22 caliber bolt action as the base, with a
smoothbore barrel and a pistol grip designed to be
used with a low-powered shotshell; testing on the
ice floes of Canada showed that this combination
was clean and efficient for kills at close range, with reduced damage to the fur compared
to clubbing and minimal chance of harming a fellow sealer through their heavy garments in event of an
accidental or careless discharge. Overall length is 14 1/2 inches, with a brass bead sight on the 6 inch solid chamber non-fireable
barrel, Winchester “WP” proofs, and the serial number on the left side of the receiver. Fitted with a smooth one piece stock, with
a lanyard swivel on the base. Included with the pistol are photocopies of correspondence between the Canadian Committee of Seals and Sealing and both
Winchester Canada and Remington, pages from “Sealing Report for 1980 Sealing Season, Gulf of St. Lawrence” (which covers the smoothbore 22 and it’s
alternatives), and correspondence from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms to noted Winchester collector Peter Murray.
CONDITION: Excellent as conforming with ATF specifications; in order to avoid classification as a NFA weapon, the barrel has been manufactured with a solid
steel rod, with a short counter-bore into the front to create the appearance of the muzzle. 95% of the blue finish is present overall, with some light spotting
on the receiver and mild handling marks overall. The stock is excellent, with a few light dings. Mechanically functions.
Provenance: Peter and Patty Murray Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3040
Winchester Prototype Slide Action .30 Caliber Takedown Carbine Formerly Owned by
Redfield Gunsight Co. - NSN, 30 cal., 19 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This appears to
be a side ejecting Winchester prototype slide action carbine similar to a Winchester Model 1894 lever action. The receiver
is devoid of markings and shares visual similarities with Marlin lever actions with its side ejecting port but appears to have a
Model 1894 loading gate, and a takedown screw at the front bottom, taking down in a similar manner to other Winchester slide actions. The barrel,
magazine, and barrel band appear very similar to a Model 1894 carbine. The barrel has the two-line Winchester address on top and two-line nickel steel marking
on the left. Interestingly it is fitted with King blade front and elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sights even though the brass tag attached to the buttstock is marked “PROP. OF REDFIELD/152/
GUNSIGHT CO. DENVER”. It is mounted with a five-groove slide handle and checkered straight grip stock with a shotgun buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine as likely a one-of-a-kind prototype, retaining 50% of the blue finish with the balance mostly a smooth grey patina with some scattered patches of brown. The wood is also fine with
a couple repaired cracks in the slide handle, minor dings and scratches scattered throughout, and a light speckling of silver paint near the tag on the buttstock. Appears to function as it designed.
Provenance: The Redfield Gunsight Co.; The John Fox Collection;
Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3041
Rare Winchester 1900/1902
Prototype Single Shot Bolt Action
Pistol - NSN, 22 cal., 8 1/4 inch round
bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Developed
in the early 1900s, Winchester is known to have
made a limited number of prototype single shot
pistols using the 1900/1902 rifle as a foundational
base. The beating heart of the design was a purpose
made tubular receiver and barrel assembly, mated to a pistol grip
assembly (known to have been made in multiple configurations and
out of many materials on observed examples) to make a simple and
robust “plinker” for the market. Full production is not believed to
have started, though Madis suggests (Winchester Book, page 572,
with schematics on pages 574 and 575) that there were attempts to
market the pistol in Australia around 1919, though history suggests
that this didn’t pan out. Fixed blade front and dovetail notch rear
sights, with no visible markings on the one piece receiver and barrel,
manually cocked hammer, a brass grip frame, and smooth grip
panels.
CONDITION: Fine overall, with 50% of the original blue, showing
areas of brow patina, minor scratches and dings, and light spotting
on the blued components. The grip frame shows a mixed aged
patina, with semicircular black markings on the left side (possibly
from the factory) and minor dings. Grips are fine, with dings and
scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3039
Very Fine and Rare Antique Winchester Model 1893 Slide Action Shotgun - Serial no.
8257, 12 gauge, 30 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1894, this is a rare example
of the Winchester Model 1893 slide action shotgun. This model was the first slide-action repeating shotgun built by
Winchester and was manufactured between 1893 and 1897 with only approximately 31,000 made. The 1893 saw limited
success as it was unable to handle modern smokeless loads, and in 1897 Winchester offered customers the option to trade in the 1893
for the new 1897, leading to many being destroyed by Winchester when traded in. The top of the barrel has the standard two-line Winchester
address and the gauge marking at the breech. The manufacturer and model marking are on the slide arm, and the serial number is marked on the bottom of the
action. It is fitted with a steel bead front sight. It is mounted with a seventeen-groove slide handle and a smooth pistol grip stock with a smooth steel buttplate. The length of pull is 12 7/8 inches.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% of the original blue finish with some handling/cycling wear and some scattered light scratches and dings. The wood is also very fine with a few scattered minor dings
and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Surviving examples of the Winchester Model 1893 are rare, particularly in very fine condition like this one!
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000