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LOT 3003
Extremely Scarce, Special Order Winchester Model 1892 Lever Action Military Musket with Saber Bayonet, Scabbard, and Factory Letter
- Serial no. 186514, 44-40 WCF cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1902, this is a very scarce example of a Winchester
Model 1892 military musket with a very rare, special ordered
saber bayonet lug, as well as the included saber
bayonet. The included factory letter lists the musket
in .44 caliber with a saber bayonet and scabbard
when received at the warehouse on 4 March
1902, and shipped the following day in order
number 134022. According to the Winchester Collectors
Association, only 574 Model 1892 muskets were made out of a total production of 1,004,675, meaning that these muskets account for approximately 0.057% of
the total Model 1892s that Winchester manufactured. Adding to its rarity, this particular example was special ordered with a saber bayonet lug rather that the
standard front sight lug for a socket bayonet. Exact numbers of these muskets ordered with saber bayonet lugs is unknown, but it is believed to be very small, with
Winchester author and historian George Madis describing a similar example in “The Winchester Book” as “among the greatest rarities.” The top of the barrel on this
example has the standard two-line address and the caliber marking at the breech. The upper tang has the three-line model, trademark, and patent information, while the serial number is marked on the bottom of the receiver.
It is fitted with a period replacement German silver blade front sight fitted within the original block (obstructs the bayonet from latching in place), a military pattern folding ladder rear sight, mounting points for sling swivels
on the middle barrel band and bottom of the stock, and the previously mentioned special order lug for the saber bayonet on the right side of the top barrel band. It is mounted with the typical, near full-length, smooth military
type forearm and a straight grip stock with a carbine/military pattern buttplate. Includes a correct saber bayonet with the brass “fish-scale” hilt, blade marked “R” on the right ricasso and “crown/CR” on the left, as well as a leather
scabbard with brass fittings.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining 20% of the original blue finish with the balance a mix of brown and dark grey patina and some scattered light surface spotting. The forearm is fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches,
and the replacement buttstock is very fine with some scattered light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The bayonet is good with the blade having bright patina and some moderate pitting, concentrated mostly near the tip,
and attractively aged brass. The sheath is fair as dried with age, split seam, and moderate wear. An extremely scarce special ordered variation of the Winchester Model 1892 military musket!
Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
LOT 3002
Fine Antique Winchester First Model 1873
Lever Action Rifle in .44-40 W.C.F with Factory
Letter - Serial no. 18885, 44-40 WCF cal., 24 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1876,
the centennial year of the United States, this is an honest example
of Winchester Model 1873 rifle with the “first model” receiver type. According to Madis’
approximations, only 31,000 of these “first model “ 1873s were produced across four fairly distinct
types of dust cover, with all featuring the recognizable dust cover guides on top of the receiver on either side of the cartridge
elevator mortise. A large number of these early Model 1873s saw extensive use on the American frontier, earning the nickname “the gun that won the West”. The ‘73 was
a favorite to pair with Colt’s iconic “Peacemaker” due to sharing many of the same calibers, making for a legendary duo that was instrumental in taming the frontier. The included
factory letter lists the rifle with a round barrel and plain trigger when received at the warehouse on 1 August 1876, and shipped on 9 August 1876, in order number 6668. The
“first model” receiver on this example has the distinct dust cover guides on either side of the top of the receiver and the last variation of the “first model” dust cover which has the
impressed oval of checkering for a grip area on top. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and King’s patent marking, and the rifle correctly lacks caliber
markings, which didn’t begin to appear on .44-40 chambered ‘73s until the 150,000 to 160,000 serial number range. The upper tang has the model marking and is factory drilled and
tapped for a peep sight, with filler screws in place. The serial number is marked on the rear of the lower tang. It is fitted with a set of typical “sporting sights”, featuring a No. 21 German silver
blade front sight and an early elevation adjustable No. 22 notch rear sight with checkered sides. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a trapdoor crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% plus of the original blue finish, 30% of the original case colors, and 30% of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with the balance having thinned to mostly a grey patina, some
light dings and scratches, and some scattered small patches of light surface freckling. The wood is very good with some scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000