September 20th 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/19/2015
Caliber .22 rimfire with a 20" barrel. Manufactured in 1919. This rare rifle was manufactured in the first year that it appeared in the Winchester catalog in 1919. It falls directly into the proper serial number range. Has all the special features which include: the special walnut butt stock with pistol grip and no checkering, the special forend, last patent date of May 20th, 1911 on barrel handles, all standard .22 rimfire cartridges, Winchester proper gutta percha buttplate. Standard features include blued barrel and tube, original sporting front and rear sight with the 1901 patent date but what really sets this example apart from most is that it has the very rare factory half nickel finish that includes the frame, bolt and trigger guard. An identical rifle in this finish can be seen in the Winchester Slide Action Rifle Book by Ned Schwing on page 282 which shows serial number 538662 in the exact same variation. In addition, the gun is in all original untouched condition. Every screw head is perfect, albeit it is missing the upper tang sight screw. The nickel finish remains at approximately 95% with just some very minor aging and has never been cleaned or refinished. Barrel and tube are a smooth brown patina. Walnut stocks are excellent, proud to metal, with no cracks or chips and have never been refinished but the butt stock is slightly dull as if may have been cleaned at one time. Action is perfect. Bore exhibits decent visible rifling, but not shiny.