May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/28/2020
1883 vintage Model 1876. Caliber .45-60, 28" full octagon barrel and full length magazine tube. Partridge style front sight missing ivory bead. Possibly replaced “V” notch rear barrel sight. Barrel muzzle featuring a silver barrel band, and hand engraved foliate scrolls on flats descending in length from top down. Top flat of barrel is marked “WINCHESTER’S-REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING’S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860", and unusual, “CAL. 45-60” marking also on top flat. Barrel breech features silver band, with hand engraved in script “ONE OF ONE THOUSAND” on top flat in a banner. Breech side flats feature foliate scrolls with stippled background. Blued frame with screwed on rail and checkered oval thumbprint dust cover. Single set-trigger. Brass cartridge lifter is engraved “45-60”. Tang mounted thick base Vernier sight. Full figured burl walnut pistol grip stock and forearm with 'H' style checkering. Fleur-de-lis ebony inlay on pistol grip. Rifle style crescent buttplate with trap door. Accompanying rifle is an interesting and curious Cody Firearm Museum Winchester letter dated May 13, 2002 signed by Waddy Colvert, and a second museum letter dated May 19,1993, signed by Howard Michael Madaus. Both letters are unusual as they only document; "Sights: Vernier peep sight" "Receiver set up for pistol grip". There is no mention of stocks, barrel type, length, or caliber. The letters further documents shipment on February 12, 1883 which is late for a 1 of 1000 Model 1876 Rifle. Also accompanying the rifle is a series of letters written in 1954 between Mr. H.C. Hinckley (owner) and Thomas E. Hall, then curator of the Winchester factory gun collection. Mr. Hinckley apparently sent an inquiry on July 13, 1954 to Winchester requesting information on a One-of One-Thousand rifle as Mr. Hall responded on July 19,1954 saying he would need the serial number and model of the gun in order to research the factory archives. Mr. Hinckley responds back on July 24, 1954 with the needed information. Interestingly Mr. Hall responds to Mr. Hinckley on July 27,1954 saying the factory records showed no indication that Model 1876 serial number 32642 was marked "One of One Thousand" and stated he personally knew of two other rifles that were authentically marked One of One Thousand and where not recorded as such in the records. Mr. Hall recommended Mr. Hinckley contact well known collector and author James E. Serven to properly evaluate the gun. Mr. Hinckley writes Mr. Hall on October 12, 1954 saying he contacted Mr. Serven and Mr. Serven "said without a doubt my gun is a genuine "One of One Thousand" and attempted to purchase the rifle from him. CONDITION: Very fine overall appearing authentic in all respects. Approximately 40-50% original blue blending with a soft brown patina on the frame. Approximately 60-70% thinning blue blending with brown patina on the barrel. The magazine tube is mostly a grey/brown patina. Traces of original case color on the hammer. Lever is mostly a grey/brown patina. Wood is near excellent showing moderate wear. Bore is fine with light abrasions. Action is tight and crisp. Overall a very respectable example of a rare and desirable Model 1876 One of One Thousand Rifle -MKS-
CORRECTION: Wood shows moderate to heavy wear with a 1-1/2 inch crack at the wrist on the right side. A chip of wood is missing at the crack. Right side edge of pistol grip butt has an abrasion with minimum wood removed. Checkering shows heavy wear especially on the forearm. The loading lever is believed to be original, but it does not follow the contour of the pistol grip correctly. The rifle features a set trigger, however the adjustment screw is broken. Locking pin is missing from the magazine front retainer band. Bore is turning dark with good rifling and moderate abrasion.
Paperwork
Cody letters, provenance