FINE WINCHESTER MODEL 1876 LEVER ACTION RIFLE WITH CONNECTION TO MONTANA TERRITORY WITH FACTORY LETTER.

SN 27959. Cal.45-75. Standard Grade 3rd model rifle with 28″ oct bbl, full magazine, altered Rocky Mountain front sight with replacement blade and 1876 marked rifle ladder rear sight. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with straight stock and crescent buttplate that has a trap. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter which identifies this firearm as a rifle with oct bbl and plain trigger received in the warehouse Sept 28, 1882 and shipped March 24, 1883 with 9 other Model 1876 arms to order no. 3268. Also accompanied by a Montana Territorial Warrant (invoice) made out to R.B. Molesworth in the amount of $8 for “killing one bear”. Additionally accompanied by a letter of research dated May 12, 2006 over the signature of Waddy Colvert, Firearms Researcher of Cody, WY, addressed to Mr. John Hawk of Cody, WY. The letter states that Mr. Colvert’s research disclosed that R.B. Molesworth (1806-1890) was Sir Robert B. Molesworth who had been knighted by Queen Victoria and had been a judge in Montana Territory 1856-1886. Cosigner states that this is the rifle Judge Molesworth used to kill the bear for which he was paid the princely sum of $8.00. Standard Grade rifles were the working man’s tools of that era and most often saw hard service under extreme adverse conditions usually in a saddle scabbard or a wagon box frequently with little or no maintenance. Rifles of that era are rarely found today with high orig finish or in fact any orig finish. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl and magazine do retain about 90% orig blue turning slightly plum color with only sharp edge wear. Receiver and side plates retain 60-65% thin orig blue with the balance blue/grey patina, turned silver on the bottom front at the carry point. Hammer retains about 70% faded case colors and the lever traces of case colors being mostly a silver grey patina. Wood is sound with a few nicks and scratches and a couple of dings with the buttstock showing about 40% orig finish and the balance of the wood a hand worn patina. Mechanics are crisp. Bright shiny bore. 52506-5 JRL (12,000-16,000) – Lot 1056

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Auction: Firearms - October 2017

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
	1056	$0.00	FINE WINCHESTER MODEL 1876 LEVER ACTION RIFLE WITH CONNECTION TO MONTANA TERRITORY WITH FACTORY LETTER. SN 27959. Cal.45-75. Standard Grade 3rd model rifle with 28″ oct bbl, full magazine, altered Rocky Mountain front sight with replacement blade and 1876 marked rifle ladder rear sight. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with straight stock and crescent buttplate that has a trap. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter which identifies this firearm as a rifle with oct bbl and plain trigger received in the warehouse Sept 28, 1882 and shipped March 24, 1883 with 9 other Model 1876 arms to order no. 3268. Also accompanied by a Montana Territorial Warrant (invoice) made out to R.B. Molesworth in the amount of $8 for “killing one bear”. Additionally accompanied by a letter of research dated May 12, 2006 over the signature of Waddy Colvert, Firearms Researcher of Cody, WY, addressed to Mr. John Hawk of Cody, WY. The letter states that Mr. Colvert’s research disclosed that R.B. Molesworth (1806-1890) was Sir Robert B. Molesworth who had been knighted by Queen Victoria and had been a judge in Montana Territory 1856-1886. Cosigner states that this is the rifle Judge Molesworth used to kill the bear for which he was paid the princely sum of $8.00. Standard Grade rifles were the working man’s tools of that era and most often saw hard service under extreme adverse conditions usually in a saddle scabbard or a wagon box frequently with little or no maintenance. Rifles of that era are rarely found today with high orig finish or in fact any orig finish. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl and magazine do retain about 90% orig blue turning slightly plum color with only sharp edge wear. Receiver and side plates retain 60-65% thin orig blue with the balance blue/grey patina, turned silver on the bottom front at the carry point. Hammer retains about 70% faded case colors and the lever traces of case colors being mostly a silver grey patina. Wood is sound with a few nicks and scratches and a couple of dings with the buttstock showing about 40% orig finish and the balance of the wood a hand worn patina. Mechanics are crisp. Bright shiny bore. 52506-5 JRL (12,000-16,000) – Lot 1056 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - October 2017 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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FINE WINCHESTER MODEL 1876 LEVER ACTION RIFLE WITH CONNECTION TO MONTANA TERRITORY WITH FACTORY LETTER.