November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
According to the factory letter, this rifle was shipped as: Rifle, 30", octagon, plain trigger, silver trim. Received December 7, 1883, shipped December 8, 1883. Granville Stuart, while not a well-known Western personage, was extremely influential in the settling of the Western cattle country, mainly Montana. So much so, that he is often referred to as "Mr. Montana". He was instrumental in organizing the Montana Stock Growers Association. This association was merely a gentrified name given to a group of men who formed a vigilante committee to rid Montana of cattle rustlers with Granville as their leader. Referred to as "Stuart's Stranglers", they lynched upwards of two dozen supposed cattle thieves while never masking themselves to hide their identity. There have been numerous books and articles referring to this lawless time and they are credited with hanging 28 men and single-handedly eliminating cattle rustling as an organized business in Montana. Stuart was appointed a U.S. ambassador in 1894 and upon his return worked ceaselessly to document the history of the Montana territory, a time in which he wrote the two volume set entitled "40 Years on the Frontier". The lineage of this rifle is well-documented. It was acquired by Jim McGee of Pikeville, Kentucky who stated the rifle came from Virginia City, Montana along with a Spanish copy of a Merwin & Hulbert revolver and two original copies of the rare "40 Years on the Frontier". Jim McGee died in 2004, at such time his entire collection was sold through the brokerage house of "Antique & Modern Firearms Inc." and the nationally renowned antique firearms dealer Mr. Charles Layson. Mr. Layson has a letter dated May 8, 2009, stating that the Granville Winchester Model 1876 serial no. 37950 and a copy of a Merwin & Hulbert were sold by him to Mr. Bob Allsop of Holly, Michigan who was a friend of the recently deceased Jim McGee. Ownership was transferred to Lee Pollock who purchased this rifle from Bob Allsop, and there is a letter from Lee Pollock transferring this rifle to its most recent owner Mr. Tom Richards of Sayner, Wisconsin. So the lineage chain is the Stuart Family to Jim McGee to Charles Layson to Bob Allsop, to Lee Pollock and finally to Tom Richards. Unlike the well documented Granville Stuart Winchester Model 1876 one of one thousand, this rifle was a working firearm of relatively unadorned status that saw use. At one time, the rifle was expertly restored. The blue on the octagon barrel and tube is a pleasing mix of blue turning brown patina with sharp legends. The frame, buttplate and forend cap have been re-silver plated. Has the 1876 folding ladder sporting sight and standard front. Walnut stocks have been lightly touched-up; still fairly proud to metal with a couple minor dings. Inscription on left sideplate reads "Granville Stuart from the Montana Stock Growers Assoc. Christmas 1883". It is all readable, but there is some light feathering and some light salt and pepper texture beneath the finish, but very readable and extremely professionally applied, but not at factory. Silver plate remains on all parts at approximately 95% with the majority of flaking on brass lifter. The lever is basically dark with some light salt and pepper. Very good rifled bore with some black powder abrasion. Fine action. An extremely handsome rifle in its own right with the half silver plate finish. Its connection to the history of Montana is entwined in its lineage, from start to finish, is well documented. This lot also includes the original two volume set written by Granville Stuart titled "40 Years on the Frontier" published in 1925; original period Western magazine with an article on "Stuart's Stranglers"; four contemporary books written about Granville Stuart; an oak display rack; and a complete album that includes lineage, original letters signed by previous owners, a brief history and factory letter of authenticity from Winchester.
Accessories
2 books, display stand, magazine and info