July 24-25, 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/24/2015
The factory letter indicates that this rifle was shipped from warehouse on April 24th, 1895 as follows: Rifle, caliber .45-70, barrel type octagon, trigger; plain, takedown. This letter confirms every characteristic of this rifle which features 26" full octagon barrel, full magazine, Winchester sporting front and rear sights, takedown, blued finish, walnut stocks, crescent steel buttplate and case colored hammer and lever. This rifle remains in phenomenal, all original, condition. All standard takedown rifles of this era features blued receivers and rarely does one surface in such high original condition. The barrel and tube retains approximately 98% of the original factory blue finish with strong factory stamps and the only real wear on the tube from takedown procedure. The left side of frame retains approximately 90% of the brilliant high polish factory blue. Right side of frame retains approximately 85% original factory blue. Bolt retains 90% original blue. Loading gate retains 80% original blue. Strong case colors on hammer and lever. The buttplate colors have toned out. All original blue remains on tang. Takedown ring is basically blue-brown patina, as is bottom of frame (from carry). Oil finished walnut stocks are near mint with no cracks or chips with nary a ding anywhere on the wood. Mint bore and action. Given the condition and caliber of this takedown rifle, this is an exceptional example that would be hard to improve upon.