GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
EXTREMELY RARE WINCHESTER 1ST MODEL 1873 SADDLE RING CARBINE WITH SABER BAYONET.WINCHESTER1873 SRC2462344 WCF (44-40)Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Standard grade 1st Model carbine with 19-1/4" rnd bbl, nearly full length magazine with 1st Type rifle threaded plug, square-base front sight & two position flip rear sight graduated to 500 yards. Receiver if 1st Type with mortised dust cover that has impressed checkered thumbprint. Left side of receiver has a staple & ring. The front magazine/bbl band has a saber bayonet lug on the right side. Left sideplate is marked "VERNEY & COBERT 21 PERU BUENOS AIRES". Accompanied by an orig saber bayonet for this carbine that is 24-3/4" overall length with 20" Yaghtagn blade and 1-pc cast brass handle that has eagle head pommel and integral handguard. Scabbard is leather covered with brass throat & tip. Bayonet blade is marked on the left ricasso with a crown/"C" and right ricasso a "B". Also accompanied by a Cody Firearm''s Museum letter which identifies this carbine with saber bayonet, received in warehouse Nov 13, 1876 and shipped next day with 5 other arms to order number 7570. Additionally accompanied by copies of a page from what is believed to be from Winchester''s New Model of 1873: A Tribute, Gordon which pictures this exact carbine & bayonet, identified by SN. Obviously part of a shipment to Argentina. It is unknown how many of these carbines were manufactured, but very few have ever surfaced. PROVENANCE: The Estate of G. W. "Bill" Stewart of Sonora, Texas. CONDITION: Fair to good. No orig finish remains being an overall dark grey patina with some plummy patina on left side of receiver. Lever & hammer are matching patina with crusty brown patina on the buttplate along with some pitting on the heel. Wood is sound, showing heavy wear and rust stain around the buttplate tang and shows evidence of a very old sanded re-finish. Top extractor is bent, otherwise mechanics are functional but a little loose. Strong dark bore with heavy pitting. Bayonet is fine with full mottled grey blade and a couple spots of pitting. Brass shows a medium to dark mustard patina. Scabbard is sound and retains about 40-50% orig black finish. Throat is fine, tip has a couple of small dents. Altogether, an extremely rare set. 49973-497 JR93 (5,000-10,000)