June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
Full octagon barrel with full magazine, marked on top flat in script "ONE OF ONE THOUSAND" and so verified by numerous factory letters. Has silver bands in the engraving around breech and muzzle ends of barrels. Case colored forearm cap attached with sling swivel on bottom of cap. Also sling swivel attached to bottom of stock. Although not listed in the factory letter, sling swivels do appear to be factory installed. Receiver is case colored of an open top variation. Left side plate is marked "H.C. GOVE ALBANY NY 1877" that also is not indicated in any of the factory letters. Hammer is case colored, lever is also case colored, as is buttplate. Engraving around the "ONE OF ONE THOUSAND" on the breech end of barrel and muzzle of barrel along with a silver band present there as well. Wood is "XXX" grade with a number 21 for an assembly line number which can be found on the toe of buttplate and bottom tang as well as upper channel of stock. A slight gap exist in the wood to metal fit of the rear of tang. Case colored sideplates are void of any assembly numbers. This iconic 1876 rifle is well documented by numerous factory letters dating back to 1965 and is pictured and described in great detail in Edmund Lewis's great book "THE STORY OF THE WINCHESTER 1 OF 1000 AND 1 OD 100 RIFLES" on page 92. Stock is of an early style with a round knob for a pistol grip. No caliber markings can be found as early 1876's omitted caliber markings. The gun can be traced back to Richard P. Mellon in a factory letter dated February 18, 1965. Of the Model 1876's "1 of 1000" produced, this was the fourth one made and only a few were produced with any inscription with no mention of sling swivels, inscription on sideplate; once again clerical oversights in recording less important features such as these were common in record keeping. This rifle was awarded a Silver Medal at the Annual Meeting of the National Rifle Association in 1962. Overall fine to very fine. Barrel would rate a solid 95-97% blue with magazine tube rating a 90-95% blue with one rub mark towards muzzle end of barrel. Forearm cap retains 60-70% case color. Left side of receiver retains 70-80% case color and right side is of 30-35% color. Loading gate retains 85-90% Nitre blue. Hammer with dark colors mostly turning to a light to medium patina as the lever is mostly silvered out with maybe 20-30% colors remaining. Buttplate is mostly silvered out with maybe 5% color in protected areas. Wood is with very few impressions and surface scratches on left side with one nick of wood missing next to receiver on left side of stock. Checkering has few bruises that would indicate any mishandling, either on the left side or the right side. Checkering on the forearm is of the same condition, very few bumps or bruises in the checkering. Carrier lifter is of a medium mustard color with very few light scratches. Right side is of same impressions with fewer surface scratches and no chips, cracks, or splinters of wood missing at all. Bore is excellent and action cycles properly. Mechanics are fine. From the Ray Bentley Collection.