GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
RARE FULL NICKEL WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 SADDLE RING CARBINE. WINCHESTER 1873 13301 44 WCF (44-40) Cal. 44 WCF (44-40), standard grade carbine with 20" bbl, full magazine and integral front band/front sight. Magazine is 1st type with screwed in plug. Bbl address is in 2 lines with Winchester and King''s Patent information. Rear sight is 1866 style, 2-position graduated 100-300-500 yds. Receiver is 1st type with mortised top containing a 2nd type dust cover with impressed thumb print. Left side of receiver has a staple and ring. Top tang is stamped "34" which was probably a rack number. Bottom of carrier has been filed, exposing the brass. Consignor states that he is the 3rd owner of this rifle having purchased it from the gentleman who bought it from the original owner''s family. Apparently the original owner''s name was engraved or marked on the carrier and the 2nd owner did not wish to have the carbine with someone else''s name on it so he removed the name. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with straight stock and carbine buttplate that has trap containing an orig 3-piece brass & iron cleaning rod. Left side of lower tang is marked with the assembly number "1176", which number is also found in top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. Being a standard grade carbine with assembly numbers, as found here signifies that this was a special order carbine. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum Records Office information request which identifies this carbine as having been received in warehouse Dec 13, 1876 and shipped Mar 5, 1877 to order number 8489. Ordinarily one would suspect that a full nickel rifle or carbine would have been used by a trick shot artist or showman, which was usually the case. However, the nickel finish being more durable than a blue finish was occasionally ordered by individuals who anticipated subjecting their firearms to hard service. CONDITION: Fine to very fine. Bbl retains about 95% orig nickel with slight losses around the muzzle and some minor pimpling over the chamber area above the forearm. Magazine tube retains about 95% orig nickel with fine pimpling and light losses on left side about mid-point. Bbl bands retain most of their orig nickel. Receiver and sideplates retain about 80-90% orig nickel with fine pimpling on sides of receiver and sideplates with most of the loss areas on the rear flats of the receiver. Hammer retains about 60% faded case colors and the lever traces of case colors in the most sheltered areas, having mostly turned to silver. Buttplate retains about 90% orig nickel with areas of pimpling and slight losses at the heel. Wood is sound with a few light nicks and scratches, a couple of dings on the forearm and retains most of its orig oil finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant, shiny bore, shows very little use. Cleaning rod is fine. 49660-1 JR (12,500-17,000)