ENGRAVED DELUXE WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 RIFLE BELONGING TO BILL GERMAYNE, “GUIDE OF THE YELLOWSTONE”.

ENGRAVED DELUXE WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 RIFLE BELONGING TO BILL GERMAYNE, “GUIDE OF THE YELLOWSTONE”. SN 148903. Cal. .32WCF, 26″ oct. bbl. This rifle was consigned by a descendent of the original owner. Germayne was obviously a very clever self-promoter, much in the manor of the famed Buffalo Bill Cody, from the same era. An accompanying period photograph shows him decked out in a fringed buckskin outfit and proudly brandishing this handsome rifle. The gun with period engraving in the Nimschke style, includes an inscription in the sideplate “Winchester/Rep. Arms Co./To/Bill Germayne/Guide/Of The Yellowstone.” This is engraved on the left sideplate. On first blush, this appeared to be a highly important and historic firearm. As very few guns were ever given as engraved presentations from the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. Investigation reveals that when this gun left the factory it was, in fact, a deluxe sporting rifle. However, it was neither engraved at the factory nor inscribed, thus, it is not a true presentation from Winchester Repeating Arms. It is obvious that the clever and wiley self-promoter, Bill Germayne, had the engraving done himself with the special inscription put on to help impress sports and future potential clients, that he might attract on guiding expeditions into the newly discovered wonders of the Yellowstone. An attractive gun with interesting provenance with an original photo of its original owner. CONDITION: Bbl and magazine tube retain most of the dull re-blue finish. Hammer, lever and buttplate retain most of a highly polished refinish; possibly silver. Nickel on the frame appears to be of the period of the engraving and about half remains. Deluxe wood shows good grain on the right side but is badly oil-soaked at the wrist. Forearm is missing chips on the right side and a crack on the left. Action is good. 4-47464 (5,500-7,500)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2002

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.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1556	$9,487.50	ENGRAVED DELUXE WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 RIFLE BELONGING TO BILL GERMAYNE, “GUIDE OF THE YELLOWSTONE”. SN 148903. Cal. .32WCF, 26″ oct. bbl. This rifle was consigned by a descendent of the original owner. Germayne was obviously a very clever self-promoter, much in the manor of the famed Buffalo Bill Cody, from the same era. An accompanying period photograph shows him decked out in a fringed buckskin outfit and proudly brandishing this handsome rifle. The gun with period engraving in the Nimschke style, includes an inscription in the sideplate “Winchester/Rep. Arms Co./To/Bill Germayne/Guide/Of The Yellowstone.” This is engraved on the left sideplate. On first blush, this appeared to be a highly important and historic firearm. As very few guns were ever given as engraved presentations from the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. Investigation reveals that when this gun left the factory it was, in fact, a deluxe sporting rifle. However, it was neither engraved at the factory nor inscribed, thus, it is not a true presentation from Winchester Repeating Arms. It is obvious that the clever and wiley self-promoter, Bill Germayne, had the engraving done himself with the special inscription put on to help impress sports and future potential clients, that he might attract on guiding expeditions into the newly discovered wonders of the Yellowstone. An attractive gun with interesting provenance with an original photo of its original owner. CONDITION: Bbl and magazine tube retain most of the dull re-blue finish. Hammer, lever and buttplate retain most of a highly polished refinish; possibly silver. Nickel on the frame appears to be of the period of the engraving and about half remains. Deluxe wood shows good grain on the right side but is badly oil-soaked at the wrist. Forearm is missing chips on the right side and a crack on the left. Action is good. 4-47464 (5,500-7,500) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2002 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.

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