May 7, 2024 The Paul Friedrich Collection of Firearms & Gold Rush
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
Made by Winchester Repeating Arms in 1881. Second Models are rare, with only approximately 19000 made, with very few made in Deluxe configuration and with this many special order features. 26" blued round barrel with "WINCHESTERS - REPEATING- ARMS NEW HAVEN-CT. / KINGS IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29,1866. OCTOBER 16, 1880." marking in front of 42A graduated folding rear sight and "CAL 45-60" marking at breech. Front sight is a 21 variation blade front sight. Special order case-hardened receiver with Second Model screw attached dust cover rail and blued serrated edge cover with plain trigger. Lower tang is stamped with assembly number S 1167 and XX. Tang is marked "Model 1876" with evidence that the roll die was starting to wear out, concluding that this was a factory mistake, not a repair. Frame has brass elevator marked in script with "45-60" caliber marking. Special order button magazine; Madis states 1 of 258 were manufactured with this feature. Stocked with "XX" honey-colored quarter-sawn walnut with checkered pistol grip and shotgun butt; grip has Winchester "christmas tree" ebony inlay. "1167" assembly number stamped in tang channel, matching the number stamped on the lower left-hand side of the tang metal. Matching honey-colored figured walnut forearm with diamond point pattern checkering. Expert examination has revealed several anomalies with this gun that make it quite interesting. The first appears when first examining the tang, as an extra hole has been welded, but upon expert inspection, it appears to be a factory mistake. The second is that the wood appears to be of a different era but is very similar and demonstrates qualities of 1950s Winchester workmanship (possibly a factory 1950s restock?). Cody research verifies all options and manufacturing date. CONDITION: Barrel retains 95% of an old professional reblue with light edge wear around muzzle. 98% vivid case colors with light tinge of brown patina coming through from possible refinish. Fantastic screws and mechanics. Wood has sharp checkering with 95% remaining varnish and some light handling marks. Good bore with sharp lands and grooves. A great optioned gun possibly refinished by Winchester circa the 1950s?