March 1-2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/1/2018
Factory research states that rifle No. 3097 was shipped as a .38-55 with an octagon barrel on July 18th, 1895 with serial number applied February 22nd, 1895. Only the first few thousand Model 1894 rifles, the majority of which were in .38-55 with a few known .32-40s, were shipped before the so-called ten o'clock screw was eliminated from the original design. Ten o'clock screw appears at the upper left corner of the loading gate, approximately where ten o'clock would be on a clock face. This early design change came before the other calibers were listed as available and are extremely scarce. This rifle is a true survivor. All original as manufactured and features a full octagon barrel, full magazine, sporting sights, blued finish, walnut stocks and rifle butt. All metal, with the exception of the bolt, is basically a soft grey-brown patina with razor sharp edges and legends. Bolt retains approximately 85% original factory blue. Wood is very good to excellent, proud to metal with no cracks, with some original finish. Fine action. Strong, clean bore.
Caliber/Bore
.38-55 Winchester