GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
BEAUTIFUL WINCHESTER RIFLE MODEL 1873 WITH 2X DELUXE STRAIGHT GRIP WOOD AND FACTORY LETTER. WINCHESTER 1873 35015 44 Cal. 44. 24-3/8" full octagon bbl. Standard two line address and caliber marking on top flat. Caliber marking is stamped on the carrier lifter "44 Cal". Lovely case hardened receiver. Case colored hammer and lever with a case colored buttplate. Fabulous highly figured uncheckered XX grade wood with a "999" assembly number on the lower tang with the same number on the toe of the buttplate and in the upper channel of the wood. Serial number engraving looks faint indicating possible Winchester factory refresh as factory letter records rifle as having been returned and repaired. The barrel may well have been exchanged at that time. This is an early second model no caliber markings would have been put on bbl or on carrier lifter. Winchester factory letter confirming all of the features of this rifle and showing shipped May 26, 1879. Letter also states Repaired and returned: 12/30/81 which account for caliber markings and faint SN. PROVENANCE: The spectacular collections of Ray Bentley featuring the finest and rarest deluxe antique Winchesters in the world. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains 95-96% of the orig blue. All edges are sharp with very little wear. Forend cap has 96-97% case color. Receiver on the left side is 95% strong if not vivid case colors with only minor fading in the forward portion of the receiver. Right side of the receiver virtually the same way. Slightly fading on the forward portion of the receiver. All screw heads look to be unturned with the exception of one screw for the loading gate that is slightly marred. Action is excellent and bore is mirror bright. Dust cover is the original style of dust cover for this model it is an oval thumbprint, 50% blue with the balance turning patina. Wood on the right side with few impressions with one deeper scratch mark running from top to bottom running about a 2" length. A very fine crack showing at the back of the upper tang only along grain line and stops. No cracks are evident any place else on the rifle and buttplate fits the stock very fine. Overall finish on both left and right would rate about 96% piano varnished finish. Crisp mechanics. Bright bore. 53091-144 MS (20,000-30,000)