GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
RARE WINCHESTER FIRST MODEL 1873 DELUXE RIFLE WITH HALF ROUND HALF OCTAGON BARREL, BUTTON MAGAZINE AND CRESCENT BUTTPLATE. WINCHESTER 1873 DLX NSN 44 WCF Cal. 44 WCF. 24" half rnd half oct bbl. Blue and case color finish. Nicely figured checkered American walnut stocks. Bbl shows correct 2-line Winchester address rolled in front of rear-sight. Blade front-sight, sporting rear-sight. Receiver is of the first model type with dust cover sliding in a mortise. Dust cover has 5/8" oval, fine checkered thumbprint. Upper tang of receiver is marked Model 1873 without finials. Lower tang is not marked. Buttstock has assembly no. "722" stamped in upper tang mortise, which also appears on inside toe of buttplate. 4-pc steel cleaning rod in butt. CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bbl retains 20% blue finish, blending to a plumb-brown patina with high point and muzzle wear, and light scratches overall. Bbl address is sharp. Bore is bright with sharp rifling. Receiver shows generous traces of case color overall, especially near the hammer, with balance a smooth plumb-brown patina. Dust cover has a mottled silver-blue patina with sharp checkering. Loading gate shows a generous amount of fire-blue finish. Elevator is a mustard-yellow patina with some light scratches. Tang mark is clear. Lower tang is a replacement without provision for a trigger block safety. Lower tang shows traces of case color. Lever has a provision for a trigger block safety. Lever may also be a replacement. Hammer shows generous amount of case color overall, as does lever. Stocks are very good with sharp checkering. Buttstock is slightly under-sized and shows an old varnish finish with light handling marks overall. Forestock is full-sized with sharp checkering, handling marks, and a chip missing on forward left side. Buttplate is a silver-gray patina with brown stains and some traces of case color. Forend cap shows a generous amount of muted case color. An attractive old First Model 1873 Winchester rifle in a rare configuration with a period repair. 51033-38 TEP (14,000-22,000)