June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
Full octagon barrel with full magazine and rolled die address on barrel that reads "WINCHESTERS REPEATING ARM NEW HAVEN, CT / KINGS IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29, 1866 OCTOBER 16, 1860". Forearm cap is case colored. Receiver is case colored. Oval thumbprint dust cover is blued. Hammer, lever and trigger are case colored. American deluxe grade walnut sporting a "X" deluxe grade with assembly No. 399 found in upper channel of stock and bottom portion of toe of buttplate. Sports the course style checkering pattern that wraps from one side to the other. Forearm also of an early style checkering pattern. This checkering pattern is the same as found on the famed '1 of 1000' rifles and some Second Model Winchesters. Bottom tang fits receiver as it should, looks as though it has not been removed. Accompanied by a factory research letter confirming the configuration with the deluxe checkered stock and shipment in May of 1878. Octagon barrel retains 96-97% bright blue, sports a front sight of a German silver insert, short base rear barrel sight and has serrated edges. This sight is common on early Winchesters. No caliber markings as all First Models were of the same caliber. Also no caliber markings on carrier lifter. Magazine tube retains 93-95% blue with balance turning to a dark plum. Magazine tube guide ring is 90-95% blue, forearm cap has turned to a light pewter color with just shadows of case color. Receiver left side retains 90% bright case colors with balance mellowing. Right side is 65-75% case colors, bright on side plate on right side but has mellowed out on receiver but still very evident, just not bright colors. Loading gate is a bright nitre blue, 98%. Dust cover with oval thumbprint is 85-90% blue. Hammer retains 80% case color with a slight drag line. Lever has mellowed to soft case colors on flats of lever and silvery on bottom of lever. Fancy American grade walnut is of light surface scratches, light impressions. Checkering has only a few bruised checkering marks on both right and left side. Right side of stock has a long impression of about 4" to 4-1/2" that runs from front to back. Few surface scratches. Wood to metal fit is very fine with no splits or chips. Four piece cleaning rod is present behind trap door; buttplate has 10-20% case colors, the balance has mellowed out. Deep rifling, bright shiny bore with moderate pitting in bottom of grooves. Rifle cycles properly, mechanics function properly. A stunning and 100% honest First Model deluxe Winchester. From the Ray Bentley Collection.