Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.
If you have questions please email firearms@jamesdjulia.com.
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1027
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$12,650.00 |
FINE EARLY WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 SADDLE RING CARBINE.SN 23170. 44 RF Henry. Outstanding ’66 carbine with 20″ rnd bbl, full magazine, integral front band/front sight and early style 2 position flip rear sight. Left side of receiver has a staple and ring. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut, including straight stock and brass crescent buttplate with trap. Top tang channel of buttstock is marked with last 4 digits of matching SN which is also found inside toe of buttplate. These early ’66 carbines are seldom encountered today and rarely in orig configuration with orig finish. The 1866 rifles & carbines have been touted as the “gun that won the west”. No doubt this model had a very large effect on the settlement of the west. It was the successor to the venerable Model 1860 Henry rifle and saw widespread distribution throughout the United States and literally around the world. They remained popular in the U.S. well into the 1870’s and 1880’s until fully supplanted by center fire arms. After that they still remained popular in South and Central America and lesser developed countries around the world where they rarely received maintenance of any kind and are rarely found today with orig finish. CONDITION: Very fine plus, all matching as noted. Bbl & magazine tube retain strong blue in sheltered areas being mostly a plummy blue/brown patina showing very little wear. Magazine & forearm bands are matching patina. Receiver, side plates and buttplate retain sharp edges and show a wonderful dark carmel patina. Hammer shows faint mottled case colors on the sides and the lever a dark brown patina. Wood is sound with light nicks & scratches and retains virtually all of its orig factory finish. Mechanics are crisp. Strong bore with good shine and light to moderate pitting. 51173-5 JRL (7,000-12,000) – Lot 1027 |
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1028
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$5,750.00 |
WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 SADDLE RING CARBINE.SN 167568. Cal 44 RF Henry. Standard carbine with 20″ bbl, full magazine, barleycorn front sight and 1873 marked carbine ladder rear sight. Top of bbl over the chamber area has the caliber marking “44 R.F.” and bottom of carrier is marked “44 CAL”. Left side of receiver has a staple & ring. Mounted with very nicely figured shell grain, slab sawed, uncheckered American walnut with straight stock and steel carbine buttplate with trap which contains a single fired cartridge case. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked with the assembly number “99” which number is also found in top tang channel of buttstock. Buttplate is un-numbered. This carbine was produced about 1890 which was very near the end of production of the model 1866. Only about 1,500 more arms of this model were produced after this one. The majority of these late production ’66s were sold into South & Central America where the rimfire cartridge was still in use. By that time, with the advent of center fire cartridges, the rimfire cartridge in the U.S. had fallen out of favor and many of this late production was sold into South & Central America. CONDITION: Fine. Bbl & magazine tube show a mottled silver/brown patina with some surface discoloration. Receiver has light peen marks over the front bridge probably to tighten a loose bbl. Receiver shows slightly worn edges but far better than average and has a couple of small dents in the right front flat. Lever & hammer retain dark case colors. Buttplate is a dark patina with some fine scattered pin-pricks of rust. Wood is sound and shows an old refinish with saddle-ring wear at the receiver. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with fine pitting and a ring near the muzzle. 51688-1 JRL (5,000-8,000) – Lot 1028 |
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1029
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$4,312.50 |
WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 SADDLE RING CARBINE.SN 752428. Cal 44 CF. Standard carbine with 20″ rnd bbl, full magazine, integral front band/front sight and 2 position flip rear sight. Left side of receiver has a staple and ring. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with straight stock and steel carbine buttplate with trap. Top tang channel of buttstock has the last 4 digits of a SN “1112”. Left side of buttstock has hand carved initials “VL” and right side “V”. SN on the bottom tang is fictitious as there were only about 170,000 Model 1866 rifles & carbines produced during the period 1866 through the end of production. The Model 1866 is frequently referred to as “the gun that won the west” and although this carbine was apparently produced well after the advent of center fire cartridges it undoubtedly saw hard frontier service in the American west and probably later on in Mexico or South America. It shows this hard service. CONDITION: Fair to good. No orig finish remains being an overall dark blue/brown patina with light pitting on the bbl & magazine tube toward the muzzle end. Receiver shows heavy wear with rounded edges and numerous light nicks, dings & scratches. Forearm is missing a chip at the front tip and has a crack by the left bbl channel and stock has a short crack back of top tang, otherwise wood is sound, showing moderate to heavy wear and overall retains a dark hand worn patina. Bottom tang is missing the lever latch and the loading gate screw is replaced by a pin. Mechanics are fine. Strong dark bore with moderate to heavy pitting. 51165-1 JRL (2,500-3,500) – Lot 1029 |
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1030
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$0.00 |
EXTREMELY RARE ORIGINAL CIVIL WAR “BLACK LABEL” HENRY RIFLE CARTRIDGE BOX COMPLETE WITH 50 ORIGINAL CARTRIDGES.NSN. According to Giles & Shuey in their 2006 scholarly text One Hundred Years of Winchester Cartridge Boxes 1856 – 1956, they picture on page 38 and describe this rare box that only 3 were known at time of printing. “Sometime in the early/mid-1860s, probably 1863-65, this gold-on-black box appeared. As there is no callout of the manufacturer, it is often referred to as the “Generic Black Box”. Of the three that the authors have examined, one was empty and two were found with New Haven Arms 44 Pointed cartridges with raised “H” headstamps…The fact that “H” headstamps were found in two of these boxes is irrelevant. There is no way of knowing whether they were original to the box or just replacements by later owners who assumed (or wished) them to be of New Haven or Winchester production. Complicating the picture is the fact that it is known that New Haven contracted for outside production of 44 Henry cartridges. So it’s possible that the rounds that have been found in those boxes known to us were, indeed, native to the box; but, it is just as possible that they came from an outside contractor. Crittenden & Tibbals, interestingly, had the manufacturing wherewithal to produce the larger Rimfire calibers during the 1863-65 period. They are also known to have advertised (and presumably sold) the 44 Henry cartridge during the same period. And yet not a single 44 Henry box or label by C&T has ever been found with their name on it. Hmmm…” Authors obviously believe that Crittenden & Tibbals made these cartridges and boxes so the cartridges contained without headstamps are correct. These identical cartridges are commonly found in Civil War sites of 1864 campaigns, both in Virginia and Georgia and rarely with headstamps. This is a very rare box with discernible label that is complete and orig. CONDITION: Box is sound and solid. Cracked at edges, with a couple of old Scotch tape repairs on two corners of lid. Label is 98% complete with discernible text as can be seen in photographs, though light in areas. 51636-1 (7,000-9,000) – Lot 1030 |
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1034
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$103,500.00 |
EXCEEDINGLY RARE, JOHN ULRICH ENGRAVED ONE OF ONLY TWO EVER MADE WITH GOLD AND NICKEL FINISH WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 ONE OF ONE THOUSAND LEVER ACTION RIFLE OF ARGENTINE BUSINESSMAN DON EDUARDO CASEY.SN 37911. Cal 44 WCF (44-40). Second model 1873 rifle with 24-1/4″ oct bbl, full magazine, half nickel front sight and short semi-buckhorn rear sight with checkered edges. Receiver is 2nd type with attached dust cover rail and 3rd type dust cover without thumbprint. Receiver has set trigger. Mounted with about 2X American walnut with early style matching checkered forearm and straight stock that has crescent buttplate with trap. Buttstock & forend cap have factory sling swivels. Receiver, side plates, dust cover, lever, hammer, bbl, forend cap, magazine band and buttplate tang are beautifully engraved in scarce patterns by John Ulrich. Engraving consists of a running bull elk on the left side plate and a grizzly bear in the left front side panel. Right side plate is engraved with a running bull buffalo and the right front side panel is engraved with a vignette of a mountain lion. All the panels are surrounded by fine intertwined foliate arabesque patterns that have fine pearled background and light shading. Top of the receiver, dust cover and bottom of the receiver are engraved to match with matching engraving on the lever, hammer, forend cap, magazine band and buttplate tang. Bbl is engraved with matching patterns on the 5 exposed flats over the chamber area which surround the panel engraved “One of One Thousand”. Muzzle end of the bbl is also engraved to match and there is a silver inlaid band at the muzzle and chamber ends of the bbl. Receiver, side plates, dust cover, forend cap and buttplate are gold plated. Lever, hammer, trigger, loading gate, magazine tube, magazine band and sights are nickel finish. Left side of the lower tang, under the wood is marked “XX” and the assembly number “193”. Matching assembly number is also found in top tang channel of buttstock, inside toe of buttplate and right bottom flat of bbl under the forearm. Bottom tang is signed “J.Ulrich”. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter which identifies this rifle with oct bbl, set trigger, “XXX” checkered stock, sling swivel, engraved 1 of 1000, engraved “$20.00”, gold & nickel, received in warehouse Nov. 8 1879 and shipped Nov 26, 1879 to order #17571. This rifle is listed by SN on page 26 of The Story of the Winchester 1 of 1000 and 1 of 100 rifles, Lewis. According to consignor, this rifle was owned by his direct descendant, Eduardo Casey (1847-1906,). It has been handed down directly through 4 generations in Argentina until its offering by James D. Julia in this auction. Casey was the son of Irish immigrants who came to Argentina circa 1830. By age 30, Eduardo was an established rancher and was the first to export cattle on the hoof to England. He was also a member of the board of The Western Railway Company and The Buenos Aires Provincial Bank. One of his first business ventures was the purchase of 130,000 hectares (321,100 acres) of land in southern Santa Fe provance. In 1881 he acquired an additional 180,555 hectares (445,972 acres) of land which by 2 years later was fenced and on which he was running 40,000 head of cattle, 50,000 sheep and 10,000 horses. In the economic crash of the 1890’s Mr. Casey lost everything, primarily from bad investments in Uruguay. He lost all of his assets and even his personal property was auctioned to repay investors. His brother purchased most of his personal property at the auction and subsequently gave it back to him. Mr. Casey then went to England where he was able to borrow 100,000 English Pounds (about 1 million dollars) with which he repaid all of the small investors who had suffered financial losses when his investments collapsed. Mr. Casey died in 1906 at age 58, impoverished and ignored by the society to which he had devoted most of his adult life. CONDITION: Fine, all matching as noted above. Overall retains a very old restored finish with strong blue on the bbl with only a few scattered spots of light surface rust. Magazine tube retains 85-88% strong orig nickel. Receiver, side plates, dust cover, forend cap and buttplate retain most of their restored gold finish showing dark areas on the sharp edges and high points. The engraving is all crisp & clear. Lever retains about 50% orig nickel and the hammer about 65-70%. There is about a 1″ crack in the forearm at the receiver, otherwise wood is sound with a few light nicks & scratches and shows most of its fine restored finish with freshened checkering. Set trigger is not functioning otherwise mechanics are fine. Strong sharp bore with scattered light pitting. 51332-1 JRL (75,000-125,000) – Lot 1034 | Click here to view provenance |
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1035
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$0.00 |
RARE JOHN ULRICH ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 DELUXE LEVER ACTION “LIKE 1 OF 1000” RIFLE.SN 335484B. Cal. 38 WCF (38-40). SN 335484. Beautiful special order rifle with 26″ oct to rnd bbl, gold washed Beech’s front sight, semi-buckhorn rear sight & Lyman tang sight with loop. Mounted with extremely beautiful 3-4X American walnut with “H” style checkered forearm & straight stock with checkered steel buttplate. Left side of lower tang under the wood is marked with assembly number “25”, which number is also found in top tang channel of buttstock & inside toe of buttplate. Forend cap & buttstock have factory sling swivels. Receiver is spectacularly engraved by John Ulrich & signed on bottom tang. Left sideplate has a large vignette of a whitetail buck & doe in a very detailed woodland scene surrounded by extremely well executed foliate arabesque patterns and wavelet border patterns. Balance of receiver has light arabesque patterns with matching border patterns and a section of heavy border pattern at top left. Right sideplate has rare vignette of a cougar in a woodland scene, surrounded by matching borders with balance of right side is a mirror image of left. There are light arabesque patterns on both sides of lever & hammer with matching patterns on dust cover & top three flats of bbl at receiver. Muzzle also has a ring of engraving & buttplate tang is engraved to match. Carrier & forend cap & bottom of lever have matching engraving & serial number is encased in a ribbon. This exact rifle has two large photographs with description on p. 158 of Winchester Engraving, Wilson. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter fully identifying this rifle with $15.00 engraving and originally shipped with a blank in rear seat but accompanied by a buckhorn sight. SIZE: Ex-Dr. James M. Goforth Collection; Floyd Everhart. Special Note: This item(s) contains plant or animal properties that may be covered by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have taken care to ensure that this item(s) meets the standard for sale under the ESA. However, certain states and other countries have laws that are more restrictive than the ESA. It is the bidder’s responsibility to ensure that it is lawful to purchase or transport this item(s) into their state, and to obtain the necessary import and export approvals. Delay or failure to obtain any such permit or approval does not relieve the buyer of paying for the item(s) and consummating the purchase. CONDITION: Bbl retains 85-90% thin orig blue with wear at muzzle and over chamber areas. Receiver retains traces of case colors in very sheltered areas, having turned silver over most areas. Hammer retains 75-80% bright case colors & lever is a silver patina. Wood is sound showing moderate to heavy wear with light handling & use marks with forearm retaining about 50% orig varnish & buttstock about all of a fine restored finish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with scattered spots of light pitting. 50832-1 (60,000-80,000) ESA – Lot 1035 | Click here to view provenance |
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1036
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$28,750.00 |
WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 3RD MODEL RIFLE WITH COLOR CASE HARDENED FRAME.SN 274439. Cal 38 WCF (38-40). Standard grade rifle with 24-1/4″ oct bbl, full magazine, Rocky Mountain front sight and sporting rear sight with extra fine notch. Receiver, lever, hammer, forend cap & buttplate are color case hardened. Mounted with extra finish, uncheckered American walnut with straight stock and crescent buttplate with trap. It is unusual to find a 3rd Model ’73 rifle that is color case hardened with much remaining orig finish. Firearms from that era, 1886, usually saw continuous hard service on the American frontier under extreme, adverse conditions, usually with little or no maintenance. Such exposure to sunlight and poor care faded the case colors very quickly, therefore finding one today with high orig finish with bright colors is a great rarity, especially standard grade rifles which were the working man’s tool. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Bbl & magazine tube retain 98-99% strong orig finish with only very light muzzle edge wear; receiver & side plates retain brilliant case colors on the sides with some fine surface etching on both sides and side plates, lightly to moderately faded over top & bottom; hammer retains bright case colors as does the lever on the sides, fading to silver on outer faces; forend cap retains brilliant case colors; buttplate retains smoky case colors. Wood is sound with light nicks & scratches and appears to have been waxed at some time in the past, otherwise retains about all of its bright orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore, appears to be unfired. 51079-15 (25,000-35,000) – Lot 1036 |
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1037
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$74,750.00 |
EXTREMELY RARE SMALL BORE FULL NICKEL PLATED WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 DELUXE LEVER ACTION RIFLE.SN 331022. Cal 22 Short. Full nickel finish with 24-3/8″ oct bbl, full magazine, globe front sight, flat top rear sight and sporting tang sight with 4″ staff. Receiver has single set trigger. Mounted with beautiful, center crotch, flame grain American walnut that has “H” style checkered forearm and black insert serpentine grip buttstock with nickeled brass Swiss buttplate. Screws are all nickel finish. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked with the assembly number “2871”, “XX” and “22”. Matching assembly number is also found in top tang channel of buttstock. Buttplate is unnumbered but there is little doubt it is orig to this rifle. Receiver is small bore 3rd type with stepped front receiver ring and integral dust cover rail containing a 3rd type dust cover. The brass carrier is also nickel finish and has the caliber marking which is also found over the chamber area of the bbl. Inside magazine is also nickel finished and may be a period of use replacement. Given the configuration and finish of this rifle it very likely belonged to a wild west show performer and trick shot artist. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum Records Office worksheet which identifies this rifle in caliber 22 with oct bbl, set trigger, checkered pistol grip stock with Swiss buttplate, graduated peep & nickel finish, received in warehouse Feb 8, 1890 and shipped same day to order # 8923 CONDITION: Extremely fine. Overall retains 98-99% strong orig nickel with a few minor, very light nicks & scratches. Buttplate retains about 85% orig nickel showing wear on the ears. Wood is sound with a few light handling and use nicks & scratches in the finish with the buttstock retaining most of its orig factory varnish. Showing moderate wear on the checkering. Forearm retains about 65-70% orig varnish showing moderate wear on the checkering with a dark hand stained patina on the bottom 1/3. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore, shows very little use. 51687-7 JRL (30,000-50,000) – Lot 1037 Click here to view provenance |
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1038
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$0.00 |
*RARE SEMI-DELUXE WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 SMALL BORE LEVER ACTION RIFLE.SN 555264. Rare semi-deluxe 22 with 24-3/8″ oct bbl, full magazine, orig 2nd type inside tube, ivory bead Lyman hunting front sight and flat top semi-buckhorn rear sight. Top flat of bbl has standard Winchester & King address and patent date. Receiver is 3rd type with integral dust cover rail and 3rd type dust cover. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with capped pistol grip buttstock and Winchester embossed hard rubber shotgun buttplate. Left side of lower tang, under the wood, is marked with the assembly number “11372” which number is also found in top tang channel of buttstock. There was a total 720,610 Model 1873 rifles and carbines in 5 different calibers which includes 19,552 rifles produced in 22 rimfire, both 22 short and long, with short being the predominant quantity. These rifles were only produced during the period 1884 to 1904 and were the first repeating 22 rifle made in the United States. They were offered in both 24″ and 26″ bbls with very few of the 26″ models produced. This rifle was manufactured in 1900 near the end of production. Extremely few were produced as “special order” such as found here. These small bore rifles were generally considered to have been garden guns or for use by ladies and young boys. They usually saw extreme hard service with little maintenance and are rarely found today with high original finish or bright bores. The corrosive ammo of those days and lack of small bore cleaning equipment generally resulted in badly eroded bores. This scarce and desirable rifle is accompanied by a Winchester Factory letter from the Buffalo Bill Historical center. The letter further documents the configuration as follows: Rifle Cal. .22 Short, Octagon Barrel, plain trigger with plain pistol gripped stock, lyman hunter front and flat-top rear, shotgun butt with rubber butt plate. Shipped December 15 1900. The reverse side of the factory letter has a copy of the original ledger sheet. A very fine example of a very rare variation of the 1973 Winchester. PROVENANCE: Vince Sepulveda Collection. With Buffalo Bill Historical Center Factory letter and copy of Ledger sheet. Special Note: This item(s) contains plant or animal properties that may be covered by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We have taken care to ensure that this item(s) meets the standard for sale under the ESA. However, certain states and other countries have laws that are more restrictive than the ESA. It is the bidder’s responsibility to ensure that it is lawful to purchase or transport this item(s) into their state, and to obtain the necessary import and export approvals. Delay or failure to obtain any such permit or approval does not relieve the buyer of paying for the item(s) and consummating the purchase. CONDITION: Excellent, all matching. Bbl & magazine tube retain 96-97% strong orig blue with scattered rust pitting on the top right flat in the area between the sights. Magazine tube has scattered areas of pin-prick pitting on the right side. Receiver retains about 90% strong orig blue with candy striping and fine sharp edge wear. Right side plate retains over 90% orig blue and the left side plate retain over 50% orig blue. Dust cover retains 15-20% original blue. Hammer retains strong, bright case colors and the lever faded case colors on the sides turned silver on outer faces. Top tang roll marking is a thin strike but mostly legible. Wood is sound with light nicks & scratches and a couple of small gouges and retains 95-97% strong orig factory finish with some light oil staining at the receiver and around the top tang. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. Inside magazine tube retains traces of orig blue with bright blue on the spring clip on the bottom. 51546-3 (17,500-25,000) C&R; ESA – Lot 1038 Click here to view provenance |
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1039
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$9,775.00 |
*RARE WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 SMALL BORE LEVER ACTION RIFLE.SN 563494. Cal 22 long. Standard grade rifle with 24-3/8″ oct bbl, full magazine with orig 2nd type inside magazine, half nickel front sight with screw and semi-buckhorn rear sight. Receiver is 3rd type with integral dust cover rail & 3rd type dust cover. Receiver is small bore type with stepped top front receiver ring. Mounted with very nicely figured, uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with straight stock & crescent buttplate without trap. Top flat of bbl has standard Winchester & King address & patent dates with caliber marking over the chamber area. Bottom of carrier has the caliber marking. There was a total 720,610 Model 1873 rifles and carbines in 5 different calibers which includes 19,552 rifles (.027%) produced in 22 rimfire, both 22 short and long, with short being the predominant quantity. These rifles were only produced during the period 1884 to 1904 and were the first repeating 22 rifle made in the United States. They were offered in both 24″ and 26″ bbls with very few of the 26″ models produced. This rifle was manufactured in 1902 near the end of production. These small bore rifles were generally considered to have been garden guns or for use by ladies and young boys. They usually saw extreme hard service with little maintenance and are rarely found today with high orig finish or bright bores. The corrosive ammo of those days and lack of small bore cleaning equipment generally resulted in badly eroded bores. CONDITION: Very fine plus. Bbl & magazine tube retain 96-98% strong orig blue with fine sharp edge wear and a small cleaned area on top flat below the bbl address. Receiver retains about 88-90% strong orig blue with candy striping and some light cleaning scratches, primarily on the right side. Left side plate retains about 85% orig blue and the right plate side about 60% thin orig blue. Buttplate is mostly a mottled silver brown patina. Hammer retains about 80% bright case colors and the lever strong case colors on the right side with faded case colors on left side, turned silver on outer faces. Wood is sound with a few light nicks & scratches and retains virtually all of its orig factory finish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. Inside magazine is extremely fine. 51378-5 JRL (10,000-15,000) C&R – Lot 1039 |
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1040
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$23,000.00 |
VERY RARE WINCHESTER FIRST MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.SN 1617. Cal 44 WCF (44-40). Standard grade rifle with 24-1/4″ oct bbl, full magazine with 1866 style nose-plug threaded into the magazine, combination front sight having its pin mostly missing, altered orig bbl sight that has been filed flat on top and narrowed on the sides with beveled edges over the dovetail and with incised lines. Tang is mounted with a series 62B “lollypop” sight which was added at a later date, post 1881. Receiver is 1st type with mortised dust cover rails and a first type dust cover with raised checkered thumb-print. Receiver has single set trigger. Top tang has the “MODEL 1873″ marking and the bottom tang has the SN engraved. Mounted with uncheckered, nicely figured, slab sawed American walnut with straight stock & crescent buttplate that has a trap containing an orig 4-pc brass & iron cleaning rod. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked with the assembly # 102 with matching number in top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. Accompanied by a Winchester Gun Museum letter which identifies this rifle with 24” oct bbl and set trigger shipped August 3, 1874. Letter is a rarely encountered original 1968 Winchester Gun Museum letter on Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation stationary and was addressed to Mr. Jack W. Dexter, Sr. of Colgate, WI. These old gun letters make for a nostalgic touch on a nice gun, as collectors did not get letters that often back in those days. Also accompanied by a 4-page letter from renowned Winchester historian and author George Madis wherein he relates most of the above information. This Model 1873 is certainly one of the last, and may be the very last verifiable gun with a George Madis letter, as supported by the accompanying original retained shipping box with a FedEx label used when George Madis shipped this gun to Scott Soles in Anchorage, Alaska, as well as a separate envelope postmarked December 10, 2003 for the Dexter letter and second Madis note. George died on December 22, 2003. He was known to be very methodical (slow) to write his wonderful handwritten letters, so it is unlikely he wrote many letters, if any, after this gun was lettered, and likely that would not be evidenced in the manner presented by this gun package. This history of George Madis is written about in a Summer 2015 The Winchester Collector in an article titled, “By George, We’ve Got It.” In addition to the above, the lower tang and serial number of this gun are pictured in the Fall 2012 The Winchester Collector and this article also has a story about serial number 1617. Few of these very early ’73s survive today. This being the first of Winchester’s center fire repeating rifles, they were immediately purchased by the public for use on the American frontier to replace the less powerful and difficult to reload rimfire cartridges. As such they usually saw continuous hard service under extreme conditions most often with little or no maintenance and are rarely found today with any orig finish and in orig configuration. CONDITION: Very fine especially for such an early ’73. Bbl retains 60-65% thin blue/brown patina with sharp edge wear. Magazine tube retains about 95% strong orig blue. Receiver & sideplates retain about 70-75% orig blue, strong in sheltered areas, thinning & turning a little patina on the front side flats and sideplates. Top of the receiver & dust cover show strong orig blue. Bottom of the receiver shows strong blue behind the carrier opening with the bottom edges and front recess in gray patina. Buttplate & forend cap show case colors turned silver. Hammer retains faded case colors, strong on left side. Lever retains faded case colors on the sides, turned silver on outer faces. Wood is sound with a few nicks, dings & scratches and shows a hand worn patina. Mechanics are crisp, very bright shiny bore. Cleaning rod is fine. 51742-4 (20,000-25,000) – Lot 1040 Click here to view provenance |
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1041
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$0.00 |
RARE SPECIAL ORDER PRESENTATION WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.SN 41559. Cal. .44WCF (44-40). Fine special order rifle with 24-1/4″ oct to rnd bbl, butt on mag, half nickel front sight and early style semi-buck horn rear sight with checkered edges. Receiver is 2nd type with attached dust cover rail and 3rd type dust cover. Mounted with a higher end grade of 1X uncheckered American walnut with straight stock and crescent buttplate with trap. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked with the assembly # “543” and “XX”. Buttstock has the assembly # “1554” in top tang channel and inside toe of buttplate, which makes sense given the rifle letters with 1X wood, not “XX.” “1-X” guns that letter that way are extremely rare. Receiver and sideplates are color case hardened with the left side plate inscribed “Presented to / Dr. E. C. Richardson / by / Wm. W. Converse / Jan. 19th 1880”. This inscription has all the characteristics of other inscriptions engraved by renowned Winchester engraver John Ulrich. This gun is the subject of two separate Winchester articles. Accompanied by a four page article by G. Scott Soles, which appeared in the Summer Edition 2008 of The Winchester Collector magazine, which details information about this rifle with several photographs and in particular reports information about Mr. Converse. He was born in Ware, Mass. in 1834 and in 1878 was working at Winchester with a very high salary and position, being paid more than Oliver Winchester’s son, W. W. Winchester. After the deaths of Oliver and W. W. Winchester in 1880 records disclose that Mr. Converse sat on the Winchester Board of Directors, later became Treasurer, then Secretary, and finally President of the company, which appointment took place in March 1881. Additional information is about the possible relationship with Dr. Richardson is theorized, in that he was a physician and may have been the doctor treating the two Winchester men who were both deathly ill and soon both passed away, at which time Converse became President of WRACo. This article also shows the listing for this rifle in the orig Winchester ledger and identifies it in cal. 44 with half oct bbl, plain trigger, “X stock”, casehardened, received in the warehouse Jan. 17 1880 and shipped the same day to order # 18827. This rifle is pictured and described on pg. 190 of The Winchester Book , Madis, 1985 edition. It is also listed on pg. 460 of Winchester’s New Model of 1873, Gordon, wherein Mr. Gordon states there were only 59 inscribed models 1873 known at the time of publication. A second 5-page article by Mr. Soles was published in the Summer Edition 2015 of The Winchester Collector, This article updates significant details Converse not previously reported in any of the popular Winchester publications, but more importantly on Dr. Richardson. It was learned that he was a graduate of Harvard Medical School, and had, upon graduation moved to Ware, Mass. to practice medicine. Dr. Richardson served throughout the Civil War as a surgeon and presumably resumed practice at war’s end. Little else was reported regarding Dr. Richardson but it seems likely that such an elaborate gift would have stemmed from a close relationship, probably relating to the illness of both Winchester men. PROVENANCE: Paul Sorrell; Scott Soles Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains 95-96% strong orig blue with light sharp edge wear and thinning around the muzzle with a few spots on the top and bottom of the round section. Receiver and side plate retains most of their orig case colors, strong & bright in sheltered areas, moderately faded and turning silver elsewhere. Hammer retains lightly to moderately faded case colors and the lever stronger case colors in sheltered areas, turning silver on outer faces. Upper and lower tang are mostly grey patina. Forend cap retains most of its orig, moderately faded case colors. Wood is sound with the buttstock having a few light nicks and scratches. Forearm is sound and retains about 50% orig oil finish with the rear 1/2 showing a hand-worn patina. Mechanics are crisp. Bright shiny bore. 51742-3 (17,500-25,000) – Lot 1041 Click here to view provenance |
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1042
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$13,225.00 |
SPECIAL ORDER WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 DELUXE LEVER ACTION RIFLE.SN 202427A. Cal 44WCF (44-40). Fine deluxe third Model 1873 with 24-1/4″ oct to rnd bbl, button magazine, half nickel front sight and semi-buckhorn rear sight. Receiver is third type with integral dust cover rail and third type dust cover. Mounted with very nicely figured, “XX” American walnut that “H” style checkered forearm and serpentine grip buttstock with black fleur-de-lis inlay in the grip cap and smooth steel shotgun buttplate. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked with the assembly number “803”, “XX” and an “S”. Matching assembly number is also found in top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. There was approximately 720,610 Model 1873 rifles, carbines and muskets produced between 1873 and 1919, of that large number only a few were special ordered with deluxe features. Special orders & deluxe wood were extra cost which the average working man & cowboy could not afford. This rifle was produced in about 1886 at a time when the west was still wild and carrying a firearm was an everyday way of life. Firearms of that era usually saw extreme hard service under very adverse conditions and are rarely found today with high orig finish. CONDITION: Fine, all matching. Bbl has a series of dings on the bottom towards the muzzle, a small ding on the edge of the muzzle and retains 80-85% strong orig blue, thinning on the rnd section, strong and bright on the oct section. Receiver & side plates retain about 50% smokey case colors with brighter colors in the most sheltered areas, strong & bright on the bottom tang. The balance has turned silver. Hammer retains about 80% fading case colors and the lever traces of case colors in sheltered areas. There is a small ding in the toe of the buttplate and adjacent wood otherwise wood is sound with a few light nicks & scratches, dark staining around the wrist & carry point of the forearm and retains about 60% factory finish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with light pitting and a light ring about an inch from the muzzle that doesn’t show externally. 51378-2 JRL (15,000-20,000) – Lot 1042 |
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1043
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$16,100.00 |
RARE WINCHESTER 1873 FIRST MODEL SADDLE RING CARBINE.SN 2378. Cal 44 WCF (44-40). Standard grade carbine with 20″ bbl, full magazine, integral front band/front sight and 2-position leaf rear sight graduated to 500 yards. Standard bbl address is lightly struck but completely legible. Receiver is 1st type with mortised dust cover rails containing an orig 1st model dust cover with raised checkered thumbprint. Left side of receiver has a staple & ring. Magazine & bbl band are of the type from the Model 1866 Winchester with threaded magazine plug and thick forearm band. Lever latch is also 1866 type that is threaded into the lower tang. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with straight stock and carbine buttplate that has a trap. Left side of lower tang under the wood is marked with the assembly # 201 with matching assembly number in top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. Top tang is marked “MODEL 1873″ and bottom tang has the engraved serial number. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter which identifies this carbine with 20” bbl received in the warehouse Sept 30, 1874 and shipped the same day to order # 2105. Also accompanied by a 3-page letter from renowned Winchester authority & author George Madis wherein he details most of the above information. Extremely few of these early first model ’73 carbines survive today. They were in great demand on the American frontier and generally saw very hard service in saddle scabbards and wagon boxes under adverse conditions usually with limited or no maintenance. Finding one today in completely orig configuration is a great rarity. CONDITION: Very good to fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine tube retain a lightly cleaned, mottled gray/brown patina with fine surface etching overall. Receiver & sideplates show moderate to heavy wear with a lightly cleaned gray metal patina and fine pin-prick pitting. Stock is missing a sliver by the top tang and a chip by the bottom tang with nicks, dings & scratches and shows a mostly hand worn patina with about 10% orig finish showing through. Mechanics are fine, strong sharp bore with good shine and scattered pitting. A rare opportunity to own an orig first model ’73 carbine. 51742-5 JRL (13,000-18,000) – Lot 1043 Click here to view provenance |
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1044
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$14,375.00 |
SCARCE EARLY 2ND MODEL DELUXE WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.SN 31314. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Fine deluxe ’73 with 24-1/4″ oct bbl, full magazine, half nickel front sight and early style, short, heart-shaped rear sight with checkered edges. Receiver is second type with attached dust cover rail and impressed thumb print dust cover. Receiver also has single set trigger. Mounted with about 2X, early style checkered American walnut with straight grip and crescent buttplate with trap. Receiver is color case hardened. Top left flat of the bbl, over the chamber area and correspondingly on the receiver are marked with small British proofs. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked with the assembly number “894” and “X”. The last two numbers of the assembly number appear to be stamped over “63” or “93”. Matching assembly number is also found in top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. Bottom portion of toe of buttplate appears to have had an assembly number obliterated and the matching number stamped higher up. In the bottom tang channel of the buttstock is a vertically applied reinforcing screw to support the repaired crack in the wrist. Accompanied by copies of a 5-page letter of authentication from renowned researcher & author George Madis wherein he substantiates most of the above information. Also accompanied by a copy of a Cody Firearms Museum serial number research request sheet which identifies this rifle with oct bbl, set trigger, checkered stock and case hardened; received in warehouse March 10, 1879 and shipped same day to Order #14808. Given the extra cost features found on this rifle and the time period of its production, it seems very likely that it would have been ordered by a wealthy individual or was intended for a special presentation. CONDITION: Fine, all matching as noted above. Bbl & magazine tube retain about 80-85% thinning orig blue turning plum on the magazine tube; receiver & sideplates retain about 85% thinning orig case colors, strong & bright in sheltered areas; hammer retains about 80% strong orig case colors and the lever traces of colors in sheltered areas; forend cap & buttplate are dark patina. Stock has the aforementioned repaired crack in the wrist with some small chips missing around the tip of the crack in the checkering on the bottom, otherwise wood is sound with numerous nicks & scratches with a few light bruises and retains most of its orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 51772-5 JRL (12,500-17,500) – Lot 1044 Click here to view provenance |
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1045
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$12,650.00 |
FINE WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.SN 202924. Cal 44 WCF (44-40). Standard grade 3rd model rifle with 24-1/4″ rnd bbl, full magazine, half nickel front sight and semi-buckhorn rear sight. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with straight stock and crescent buttplate with trap. Receiver is 3rd type with integral dust cover rail and 3rd type dust cover. This rifle was produced about 1886 at a time when the west was still wild and carrying a gun was a daily way of life. These standard grade rifles were the working man’s tool and generally saw very hard service in saddle scabbards or wagon boxes and usually with limited or no maintenance. Finding one today with high orig finish is a great rarity. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus. Bbl retains 96-97% crisp orig blue with some slight thinning toward the muzzle and a couple small spots of surface etching. Magazine tube retains about 98% crisp orig blue. Receiver, side plates & dust cover retain about 98% glossy orig blue with faint sharp edge wear and some minor candy stripping with a couple of small scattered spots on each side. Left sideplate has a series of extremely fine scratches. Lever, hammer & buttplate retain virtually all of their orig case colors, strong & bright on the hammer and sides of lever, moderately faded on outer faces of lever. Buttplate case colors are strong on the tang, faded on the face. Wood is sound with a few light handling & storage nicks & scratches and retains virtually all of its orig factory finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore, may have been fired but if so very little. 51687-5 JRL (10,000-15,000) – Lot 1045 |
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1046
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$0.00 |
SCARCE SPECIAL ORDER WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.SN 277383. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Standard grade 3rd Model ’73 with 24-1/4″ rnd bbl, full magazine, combination front sight, semi-buckhorn rear sight and thick base sporting tang sight with 4″ staff. Mounted with highly figured, uncheckered, streaky European walnut with straight stock and crescent buttplate with trap containing an orig 4-pc all steel cleaning rod. Receiver is 3rd type with integral dust cover rail and 3rd type dust cover. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter which identifies this rifle in 44 caliber with rnd bbl and plain trigger, received in warehouse Aug. 20, 1888 and shipped the next day to Order #11288. This rifle almost certainly was special ordered with the European walnut although the bottom tang and buttstock are not marked with an assembly number. Wood appears orig to this rifle as the wood to metal fit is as near perfect as one could ask and almost certainly is from the factory. PROVENANCE: Wes Adams Estate Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Bbl & magazine tube retain about 98-99% strong orig factory blue with faint sharp edge wear and a very few scattered spots of light rust; receiver retains about all of its strong orig blue with faint sharp edge wear, some candy striping on both sides with light rust over top of receiver ring and dust cover along with some very fine flaking on left sideplate; hammer retains brilliant case colors; lever retains strong bright case colors, lightly to moderately faded on outer faces; buttplate retains about all of its case colors, moderately faded with some freckling on the tang. Stock has a small splinter by the right side of lower tang, otherwise wood is sound and retains most of a bright orig varnish finish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a few small scattered spots of rust. Cleaning rod is fine. 51688-3 JRL (10,000-12,500) – Lot 1046 Click here to view provenance |
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1047
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$5,175.00 |
SPECIAL ORDER WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.SN 252302. Cal. 32 WCF (32-20). Standard grade rifle with 24-1/4″ oct to rnd bbl, full mag, half nickel front sight, fine V-notch rear sight and Lyman tang sight with Duplex aperture. Mounted with uncheckered, nicely figured American walnut with straight stock and crescent buttplate without trap. Receiver is small bore, 3rd type with stepped receiver ring, integral dust cover rail with 3rd type dust cover. Accompanied by Cody Firearms Museum letter which identifies this rifle in Cal. 32 with 1/2 oct bbl and plain trigger, received in warehouse Nov 1, 1887 and shipped Nov 3, 1887 with two other arms to order # 742. These small bore rifles of that era were usually considered to be boy’s or ladies’ small game rifles and are most often found with little or no orig finish. Seldom do we see one in this condition with the added attraction of a half octagon barrel and a full magazine combination. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains about 92-93% orig blue showing sharp edge and muzzle end wear with thinning and turning brown over the chamber area and portions of the round area. Mag tube retains about 90% orig blue, thin on the bottom. Receiver and sideplates retain about 90% thinning orig blue. Dust cover is a blue-brown patina. Lever and hammer retain strong case colors, turning silver on outer faces of lever. Buttplate is a brown patina. Forearm has a small crack by the left bbl channel, otherwise wood is sound with a chemical streak down the comb of stock and down the bottom from lower tang with light nicks and scratches. Buttstock and forearm retain most finish. Dust cover, probably an old replacement does not catch the bolt on opening, otherwise mechanics are crisp. Strong bright bore with light pitting. 51742-2 (4,500-6,500) – Lot 1047 Click here to view provenance |
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1048
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$4,600.00 |
SPECIAL ORDER WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.SN 146168A. Cal 38 WCF (38-40). Standard grade rifle with special order 26″ oct bbl, full magazine, half nickel front sight and semi-buckhorn rear sight. Receiver is small bore type with stepped top front. Carrier appears to be gold washed. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with straight stock & crescent buttplate that has a trap. Accompanied by a box of U.S. Cartridge Co. caliber 38-40 ammunition. Box has square corners with a blue & black label marked “For Winchester Rifle Model 1873”. Box contains 48 orig rounds of ammunition and 2 new un-primed empty cases. This rifle was produced in about 1884 when the west was still wild and carrying a firearm was a daily way of life. Firearms of that era usually saw continuous hard service usually under very adverse conditions often with little or no maintenance and are rarely found today with high orig finish. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl retains 85-88% orig blue, strong in sheltered areas thinning elsewhere. Magazine tube retains 75-80% orig finish turning brown. Receiver & side plates retain about 85-88% strong orig blue with some candy striping on the side plates and showing wear with thin blue over the top & bottom at the carry point. Carrier retains most of its orig gold wash. Lever & hammer retain faded case colors. Buttstock has a couple of gouges on the left side with light nicks & scratches, otherwise wood is sound and overall retains traces of orig finish being mostly a hand worn patina. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. Box has had the label cut open on 3 sides with the rear side label intact. Box shows light soil with a full & complete top label. Cartridges are crisp & clean. 51570-5 (4,000-5,000) – Lot 1048 Click here to view provenance |
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1049
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$4,600.00 |
SCARCE SPECIAL ORDER WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.SN 30527. Cal 44 WCF (44-40). Special order standard grade rifle with 24-1/4″ oct to rnd bbl, button magazine, globe front sight and short semi-buckhorn rear sight with checkered edges. Receiver is second type with attached dust cover rail and second type dust cover with impressed thumbprint. Receiver has single set trigger. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut that has a straight stock & crescent buttplate. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked with the assembly number “153” with matching assembly number in top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. This rifle was produced about 1879 and was likely someone’s prized hunting rifle and home defense firearm. Most firearms of that era saw continuous hard service under very adverse conditions, usually with little or no maintenance and are rarely found today with high orig finish. CONDITION: Good, all matching. Bbl retains blue in sheltered areas being mostly a thin blue brown patina with the rnd section having been cleaned showing surface discoloration and scattered rust. Receiver and side plates retain 50-60% thin orig blue, having been cleaned with a coarse material leaving scratch marks in the finish. Lever & hammer retain faded case colors with the lever having light surface rust on the outer faces. Wood is sound with a gouge in the comb and a few scattered light nicks & scratches and retains most of its orig oil finish. Set trigger needs adjusting, otherwise mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a few scattered spots of pitting. Tang sight plug screws are missing. 51165-2 JRL (3,500-5,500) – Lot 1049 |
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1050
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$3,162.50 |
WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.SN 401599. Cal 32 WCF (32-20). Standard grade rifle with 24-1/4″ rnd bbl, full magazine, 1/2 nickel front sight and semi-buckhorn rear sight. Receiver is 3rd type with integral dust cover rail and 3rd type dust cover. It is small bore type with stepped top front edge. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with straight grip & crescent buttplate without trap. This rifle was produced about 1891 when the west was still wild and carrying a gun was a daily way of life. The 32-20 caliber firearms were reasonably popular with law enforcement officers & persons of small stature who wished to have a reasonably effective cartridge with mild recoil. Many of the individuals on the American Frontier at that time, on both sides of the law carried a Colt Single Action Army Revolver and a Winchester rifle in this caliber. These rifles generally saw very hard service under adverse conditions and are rarely found today with high orig finish. CONDITION: Fine. Bbl retains about 95% dulling orig blue with a few minor nicks & dings. Magazine tube retains about 70% strong orig blue with the balance a plummy patina. Receiver & side plates retain about 85% orig blue turned silver on the bottom front edges and thin over the top front edge at the carry point. Hammer retains very strong case colors and the lever traces of dark case colors showing silver on the outer faces. Buttplate is a silver gray patina. Wood is sound with a few minor nicks & dings in the forearm and overall retains about 80-85% orig finish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 51460-4 (3,000-5,000) – Lot 1050 |
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1051
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$3,162.50 |
*VERY RARE WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 SHORT RIFLE.SN 640408. Cal 44 WCF (44-40). Standard grade rifle with 20″ rnd bbl, full magazine, 1/2 nickel front sight with screw and semi-buckhorn rear sight. Receiver is 3rd type with integral dust cover rail & 3rd type dust cover. Receiver is small bore type with stepped top front edge which is rare in this caliber. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with straight stock and crescent buttplate with trap. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked with the assembly number “484”. Buttstock & buttplate are unmarked. Very few Winchester rifles were special ordered with shorter than standard bbls. According to The Winchester Book, Madis only 1 of every 450 rifles had special shorter bbls. CONDITION: Very good. Bbl & magazine tube retain 85-88% strong orig finish with the wear spot near the front sight. Receiver & side plates retain 30-40% dull blue, having been cleaned a long time ago with the possibility of some added finish. Lever & hammer are mostly a dark patina. Buttplate shows faded case colors. Wood is sound and retains most of an old restored finish. Mechanics are crisp, very bright shiny bore. 51137-7 JRL (3,000-5,000) C&R – Lot 1051 |
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1052
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$115,000.00 |
EXTREMELY RARE WINCHESTER MODEL 1876 ONE OF ONE THOUSAND LEVER ACTION RIFLE.SN 3551. Cal 45-75. Most rare of the 76’s this fabulous one of one thousand has 30″ oct bbl, full magazine, gold washed Beach’s combination front sight with an “1876” dated rifle ladder rear sight. Mounted with extremely, beautiful, XXX checkered American walnut with early style pattern on forearm and serpentine grip cap on buttstock with fleur-de-lis ebony inlay and a replacement hard rubber buttplate embossed in intertwined letters “SRCo.” (Sharps Rifle Co.). Top tang is mounted with a Sharps style sporting tang sight with 3-1/2″ staff. Bbl is engraved in typical one of 1,000 style with foliate arabesque patterns on top & side flats over chamber area and inscribed in script on top flat “One of One Thousand”. There is also a narrow silver band at the receiver. Muzzle is engraved to match on top three flats and side flats, also with an inlaid silver band. Left side of lower tang under the wood is stamped “XXX” with the assembly number “160” which has been X’d out with the additional assembly number “89” further to the right. Top tang channel of buttstock is stamped with an “S” and the assembly number “160”. Top flat of bbl, forward of the engraving and top of receiver ring, are stamped with the Winchester “WP” proof in a circle signifying that this rifle was returned to Winchester and proof tested after about 1904. Top of receiver has a 2nd model attached dust cover rail with impressed thumb print dust cover. Fitted with a single set trigger. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum Records Office work sheet which identifies this rifle with 30″ oct bbl, set trigger, pistol grip stock, case hardened receiver and “one of one thousand”. It was received in the warehouse May 20, 1878 and shipped June 19, 1878 to Order #11781. There is an additional notation “CH 6/14/78”. There is no indication as to what the “CH” stands for. Previous informaiton disclosed that this rifle was, at one time accompanied by a 10-page letter from noted researcher, historian & author, R.L. Wilson detailing much of the above information. He additionally states that during his research for his book “Winchester The Golden Age of American Gunmaking 1 of 1000”, he discovered that of the 63,871 Models 1876 produced there were only 51 made as a one of 1,000. This rifle was discovered by Universal Studios as part of their promotion for the Jimmy Stewart movie, “Winchester 73”, when they offered a new Winchester Model 94 rifle to the first twenty owners of authentic One of 1,000 rifles who contacted them with proof of ownership. During this promotion the movie studio located twenty three Models 1873 and six Models 1876 One of 1,000 rifles. The owner of this rifle, Mr. Robert Steele Withers of Liberty, Missouri, in a letter to Mr. Bill Depperman, Washington, D.C., dated May 23, 1950, described his Winchester One of 1,000, which turned out to be an authentic specimen which earned him a free Winchester Model ’94. In his letter Mr. Withers states that he inherited this rifle from a deceased neighbor. He also states that he had sent it to “the Winchester Company with instructions to put it in perfect condition”. He further states that the gentleman who bequeathed it to him had traded for this rifle while he was recuperating from tuberculosis in Tombstone, AZ. In a second letter dated June 10, 1950 Mr. Withers identifies the neighbor as Claude Hardwick of Liberty, MO and reiterates his sending it to Winchester for restoration and what he was told the Winchester records contained. Mr. Wilson states that this rifle, being an early 2nd Model with 4-digit serial number, is of substantial importance as very few are known in this range. Mr. Wilson also states that the bottom of the bbl is marked with the serial number as is the breech end of the magazine tube. The last two digits of the serial number are on the carrier, carrier arm & lever while the hammer & dust cover are marked “89”, which is the assembly number found on lower tang. The sideplates are marked “57” which was X’d out and the number “89” stamped adjacent. No attempt was made at disassembly to verify these statements. Also accompanying this rifle are copies of Mr. Withers’ letters mentioned above along with a copy of a notarized statement dated 1952 wherein he is certifying that he is the owner of this rifle and reiterates its history. There are several other copies of letters between Mr. Depperman & Mr. Withers, a Mr. Andre from Winchester to Mr. Withers and several other pieces of correspondence. It is believed that in the early 1950’s when Mr. Withers returned his rifle to Winchester for refurbishing that they were no longer doing color case hardening so it was given a full blue treatment, including receiver, lever & hammer. It was very likely at this time that the proof marks were stamped on the bbl & receiver. This rifle is pictured and described on pages 100-101 of The Story of The Winchester 1 of 1000 and 1 of 100 Rifles, Lewis. The text surrounding this rifle in the book reiterates some of the above information. This rifle is listed by SN in the chart on page 89 of referenced publication. This listing also shows that order number “11781” had 4 other Models 1876 1 of 1000 rifles with the other 3 serial number’s being 750, 4771, 4772. The listing on page 26 of the referenced publication also shows that order “11781” additionally had 4 Models 1873 1 of 1000 rifles whose serial numbers were 30160, 30161, 30162 & 30180. PROVENANCE: Robert Steele Withers Collection; Claude Hardwick; John Fox Collection. CONDITION: Very fine plus. Overall retains about 99% strong factory blue with only the most faint sharp edge wear. Wood is sound with forearm retaining about 20% orig varnish and the checkering showing moderate wear. Buttstock has a couple of gouges on left side with other light nicks & scratches and retains about 90% strong orig piano finish varnish. It is readily apparent that the wood was not refinished during the 1950’s restoration process. The buffing & bluing did however greatly thin out the top tang markings as well as the serial number on the bottom tang although both markings are still visible. Bbl address is still sharp & clear. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with good shine and some orange peel effect in the grooves. This is a rare rifle with a well documented history. 50832-5 JRL (75,000-125,000) – Lot 1052 Click here to view provenance |
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1053
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$0.00 |
RARE FACTORY ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1876 BIG BORE SHORT RIFLE.SN 10923. Cal 50-95 EXP. Spectacular John Ulrich engraved short rifle with 22″ rnd bbl, button magazine, fine matted top, half nickel front sight and short semi-buckhorn rear sight with checkered edges. The sight elevator is marked on the left side “1-1/2, 2, 2-1/2 and 3” “WINCHESTER’S REPEATING ARMS, NEW HAVEN, CT.” is hand engraved on the top right side of the bbl, foreward of the rear sight. Top left side is engraved with “KING’S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29, 1866, OCTOBER 16, 1860.”. Top right side over the chamber area is hand-engraved “.50 Cal.” and top left side is engraved “95 GRS.” Top left side of bbl also has British proofs with another small British proof adjacent on the receiver. Receiver is second type with attached dust cover rail and third type dust cover that is hand-engraved “WINCHESTER EXPRESS / .50 CAL. 95 GRS.”. Receiver and side plates are engraved with about 25-30% coverage beautiful foliate arabesque patterns that have fine pearled background and chip/dot borders. Corners of the engraving patterns have small shell patterns. Top tang, forend cap and buttplate tang are engraved to match. The brass carrier is hand engraved “50-95”. Bottom tang, behind the trigger is marked with the engraver’s name “J. Ulrich”. Mounted with very beautiful flame & shell grain American walnut with early style checkered forearm and serpentine grip buttstock that has a horn fleur-de-lis inlaid in the grip cap and a smooth steel shotgun buttplate. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked “XXX” and the assembly number “1001”. It is also marked with an “L” and an “S”. Matching assembly number is found in top tang channel of buttstock. Rear face of the buttstock, under the wood has 3 small assembler’s marks which are also found inside toe of buttplate. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter which identifies this rifle in caliber 50 Express with 22″ matted rnd bbl, plain trigger, checkered shotgun butt, case hardened and $5.00 engraving received in the warehouse Oct 11, 1880 and shipped Oct 14, 1880 to order # 21233. This rifle has a single full page illustration on page 237 of The Winchester Book, Madis, 1985 edition. According to the caption under the photographs this rifle was shipped with loading tools & a leather trunk type case. CONDITION: Very fine plus, all matching. Bbl retains 95-97% strong orig blue with a few small scattered spots of rust and a chemical stain on the bottom at the muzzle. Receiver and side plates retain 65-75% orig case colors, brilliant on the left side, faded on left side plate. Right side shows bright case colors in sheltered areas with the balance fading. Top & bottom of the receiver retain bright case colors in sheltered areas with the balance fading and turned silver on the bottom front at the carry point. Lever retains brilliant case colors on the sides and in sheltered areas with chemical staining on the outer faces. Hammer retains dark case colors. Forend cap retains most of its orig case colors, fading to silver. Buttplate retains 50-60% bright orig blue with chemical losses at the heel. There is a small chip in the wrist at the top right front, otherwise wood is sound with a few light nicks & scratches and retains most of its fine piano varnish finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 51552-1 JRL (90,000-150,000) – Lot 1053 | Click here to view provenance |
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1054
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$41,400.00 |
EXTRAORDINARY WINCHESTER MODEL 1876 DELUXE EXPRESS RIFLE WITH 22″ BARREL AND SHOTGUN BUTT.SN 24236. Cal. 50-95. 22″ rnd bbl. Button magazine. Blue and case color finish. Highly figured American walnut stocks with checkered pistol grip and forearm. Bbl shows correct 2-line Winchester address rolled in front of rear-sight with “50-CAL” at breech-end. There are 4 British proofs on left side of bbl at breech. Front sight has a German silver blade, sporting rear-sight. Receiver has Model 1876 stamped on upper tang without finials and is of the second model type with guide rail attached by a screw. SN is stamped on lower tang behind lever latch. There is a small British proof on forward left top of receiver. Dust cover is roll marked “Winchester Express over 50-CAL. 95 GRS”. Elevator is marked “50-95”. Lower tang has assembly no. “332” stamped with “XXX” stamped in front and “S” to rear. Upper tang mortise of buttstock shows assembly no. “332”. Inside toe of buttplate has assembly no. “65” that is double struck. Toe of buttstock under plate, also shows assembly no. “65”. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum Letter dated June 28, 2007, showing rifle, 50-95, 22″ rnd bbl, plain trigger, checkered stocks, half magazine, shotgun butt, case colored finish and “inside finish”, which indicates that the receiver was polished on the inside for smoothness of operation. Grade of stocks is not listed, but is confirmed as being “XXX” by orig tang markings. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains 60% blue finish that has drifted to a smooth plumb-brown patina overall, with a few minuscule scratches. Bbl markings are sharp and clear. Bore is bright with sharp rifling. Receiver retains 70% of the vivid case color with generous traces of lacquer traces remaining. Receiver has a few scratch marks overall, and some high point wear. No roughness. Dust cover retains 90% blue with a sharp mark and some slight scratches. Guide-rail also contains a considerable amount of blue finish. Hammer retains a generous amount of case color with some oil staining on sides and vivid color on front face. Firing pin also retains a generous amount of blue finish. Inside of elevator mortise shows polished finish with traces of case color. Lever shows 50-60% vivid case color finish with a generous amount of lacquer. All markings are sharp. Stocks are fine, full-sized, and retain nearly all of the varnish finish, with sharp checkering and only light handling marks overall. Buttplate is a smooth gray-brown patina with a few rough spots. Forend cap shows vivid case color on both sides with considerable lacquer remaining. A wonderfully preserved Winchester Deluxe Model 1876 Express rifle with special order bbl, destined for the English market. Hard to improve upon. 50668-1 (37,500-50,000) – Lot 1054 Click here to view provenance |
