July 24-25, 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/24/2015
According to the factory letter, this rifle was shipped September 16th, 1890. Listed as rifle, .22, barrel type: round, trigger: plain. This particular rifle is chambered for the scarce .22 short rimfire cartridge and is in extremely high, all original, factory condition. Sports a 24" round barrel, full magazine, blued finish, walnut stocks, crescent steel buttplate, case colored hammer and lever with sporting front and rear sights. This is one of the highest condition Model 73 .22 caliber rifles this writer has seen. The barrel and tube retain approximately 97% of the original factory blue, thinning just a bit at muzzle. The nose cap and retaining band still retain approximately 70% of the original blue. Frame retains approximately 90% of the brilliant high polish factory blue with minor high edge wear and some brown toning at back of receiver. Dust cover retains approximately 40% blue. Brilliant case colors still evident on hammer with traces on lever. The buttplate retains approximately 90% brilliant re-applied blue. All screw heads are perfect and un-marred. Brass carrier has never been cleaned or polished. The oil finished stocks are near mint, with no cracks or chips, proud to metal, perfect fit with only some minor finish loss on high edges of forearm and minor dings. Rifle sports a fully adjustable patented tang sight. The top of the receiver, at breach, has a few minor impressions. A "P.W." inspector mark is stamped on top of frame and barrel which would indicate the gun went back to factory for some repairs after 1905 but was never refinished. All markings are as strong as when applied. Fine bore. Perfect action. Simply an incredible example of a very scarce 1873 small caliber rifle.