June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
Round carbine barrel with standard two line marking chambered for the .40-82 WCF cartridge. Forearm cap is blued. Barrel band is blued. Left side receiver is case colored. Comes with the carbine stud and ring in place. Wood is straight grained American walnut. Hammer and lever are case colored with the trigger blued. Lower lever is also case colored and the buttplate is case colored. The First Model full stock carbine is one of the great oddities of Winchester collecting. These extremely uncommon carbines are never found in fine condition and their production was extremely limited to only the very first carbines produced. This particular example is documented by a letter from noted Winchester collector Norris Pratt stating that the rifle was acquired from firearms expert and author John Malloy in February 1963. Accompanied by a small clipping from and early copy of the "Gun Report" showing the rifle ad explain its rare configuration and discovery in Las Vegas. Barrel retains 96% with a slight rub mark 3" from the muzzle on the left side. Nose forearm cap is of 90-95% blue. Barrel band is 95-97% blue. Receiver on left side is 95-97% case colored, very bright and vivid in spots. Receiver right side is 80-85% case colored, bright and vivid in spots. The bottom of receiver is light patina with case color near the lever of the carbine. Hammer retains 95-97% case color with a very small drag line on the right. Lever has 70-80% case color with the bottom high part of the lever turning silver. Upper tang sports the Model 1886 and is 60-70% case color with shadows of case color through the patina. Stock of American walnut, no extra finish. Left side of stock with medium compression marks with a few light scratches, there is a chip of wood missing that was replaced on the upper part of the tang near receiver. Right side of the stock with a few light compressions and a few light scratches, there is a chip of wood missing that was replaced on the upper part of the tang near receiver. Bore is strong with shiny rifling. Cycles correctly, mechanics are fine. A truly fantastic condition rarity. Accompanied by a very early factory letter dated February 13th, 1963 stating that the 1886 carbine serial No. 14096 was shipped February 22nd, 1888. From the Ray Bentley Collection.