GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
RARE WINCHESTER 1ST MODEL 1873 SADDLE RING CARBINE. WINCHESTER 1873 SRC 12317 44 WCF (44-40) Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Special order standard grade carbine that has full nickel finish, 20" bbl, full magazine, integral front band/front sight & 2-position flip rear sight graduated to 500 yards. Receiver is 1st Type with mortised dust cover that has impressed checkered thumbprint. Left side of receiver has a staple & ring. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with straight stock & carbine buttplate that has a trap containing a reproduction 3-pc brass & steel wiping rod. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked with the assembly number "199" which number is also found in top tang channel of buttstock & inside toe of buttplate. Forearm band is 1866 type. Right side of buttstock has beautifully incised carved, intertwined initials "MB" with 4 sets of quotation marks. According to family legend related by Bill Stewart, these initials stand for Mario Bianchi, who was a New Mexico lawman. Firearms of that era usually saw continuous hard service, frequently with little or no maintenance and few survive today. PROVENANCE: The Estate of G. W. "Bill" Stewart of Sonora, Texas. CONDITION: Very good to fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine tube retain about 80% plus strong orig nickel with the loss areas a dark patina. Front band shows heavy cleaning. Receiver & sideplates retain about 60% orig nickel and the lever about the same. Hammer is mostly a dark patina as is the buttplate with about 20% orig nickel in sheltered area. Stock has a hairline in the right wrist, otherwise is sound with several small bruises & gouges and shows most of a restored finish. Dust cover will not retract with the bolt, otherwise mechanics are fine. Dark bore with good rifling and moderate pitting. Cleaning rod is fine. 49973-21 JR94 (5,000-8,000)