June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
Half round half octagon barrel with half magazine. Blued forearm cap, receiver and dust cover. Case colored hammer, lever and trigger. Straight grain American walnut stock with four piece cleaning rod behind trapdoor in buttplate. German silver insert front sight, short base type rear barrel sight with knurling on the side. Top flat of barrel with no caliber marking and no caliber marking on carrier lifter. 44-40 was the standard chambering for the 1873 model so the absence of markings was frequently encountered. Special barrel features and the half magazine as well as being ordered with blue finish receiver make this a wonderful special order rifle. Barrel retains 96% original blue with a small portion next to front sight on right hand side turning a patina color. Forearm cap is 97-98% original blue, left side of receiver retains 98% orig blue with few light scratches and few surface discoloration on upper corner of sideplate. Right side or receiver 98-99% new with a few spots of discoloration on back end of receiver only. Case colored hammer has 95-97% dark colors. Lever on flats sides retain 90-95% with bottom portion of lever turning to a light patina color. Bottom of receiver is a 97-98% orig bright blue with carrier lifter a mustard medium color. Lower tang fits receiver very fine. Condition is 90-95% with only discoloration around locking lever. American walnut stock sports few impressions and few scratches on left side and one ding close to bottom tang on right side. No chips or splits in wood and no cracks. Buttplate has 50-60% case color with balance turning silver with some surface discoloration. Bright and shiny bore. Rifle cycles properly and mechanics are fine. From the Ray Bentley Collection.