November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
Manufactured in 1895. The .40-70 WCF is among the lowest of all standard production calibers in the Model 1886 with approximately 850 total manufactured in both rifles and carbines. In addition, this rifle was ordered with a 28" barrel, 2" longer than the standard. The rifle has period sling eyes that are not listed in the factory letter, and it also has the scarce Slidin' Lyman Model 21 receiver sight with a Marbles front sight and a rear sight blank. According to the letter, rifle was shipped on June 1, 1895. The rifle features full round barrel, full magazine, walnut stocks, rifle buttplate, blued with case colored frame, hammer and lever. The condition on this rare special order rifle is outstanding. The barrel retains approximately 95% original factory blue with razor sharp legends and a couple areas here and there of age spots. Tube is in like condition, starting to mix with a little plum. The case colors are brilliant. It has virtually all of the original color on both sides of the frame with strong colors on hammer and lever. Bolt has 98% original blue. The Lyman rear sight retains approximately 85% blue. The buttplate has patterned out. Walnut stocks fit perfectly, proud to metal, no bumps, cracks or chips. Darkened a bit in wrist from old oil, but untouched. Has a near mint strong bore and perfect action. One could only wonder why a person would pay extra and wait for a barrel that is 2" longer than standard and offers no advantage, knock down power or ballistics and one could assume, given the rarity of this caliber, that there were very few rifles ordered with a 28" round barrel, and of those it would be nearly impossible to find a rifle in this caliber in all original high condition. It has rarity and condition and bears the Winchester moniker, a triple crown winner in all respects.