June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
Carbine length round barrel with fixed carbine front sight and folding military carbine rear sight. Receiver is masterfully engraved in to what amounts as a full coverage of tight scroll and vines with a floral arabesque. Bordered by an elongated scalloped rope border at all edges of the left and right sides of receiver. Chamber ring of receiver has ornate scrolls with smaller version of the rope border at front. Tang is engraved in the identical pattern. Engraving covers what would have been the proofs and caliber marking. A small "30" has been applied to the left side of the chamber ring of the receiver. Barrel is marked "30 U.S." over chamber and beneath rear of hand guard. This unbelievable carbine is fully documented by a letter from the Buffalo Bill Historical center as well as a very early letter from the Winchester parts department. The letter states: Carbine, .30 caliber, fancy checkered oil finish, sights, No. 7 Lyman receiver and front sight, shotgun butt with rubber, no sling ring, engraved $6.00, received in warehouse July 1905 and shipped the same day. Extremely fine overall will most all factory applied finishes remaining. Barrel retains over 98% of the factory blue with only traces of lost at muzzle. Slight finish loss is evident from the forearm having been removed. Receiver is outstanding with the slightest loss of finish on the sharp leading edges of the receiver bridge and a small 3mm diameter stain in the finish on the tang just forward of the stock retaining screw. The highly figured deluxe checkered stocks are very fine with no material loss and all the factory applied varnish remaining. The checkering remains sharp with several very small storage bruises. Bore is excellent with sharp rifling. Mechanics are crisp and functional. This engraved deluxe carbine has been reported to be the only known example by factory records. From the Ray Bentley Collection.