June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
Half round-half octagon barrel, fully matted, Marble front sight with adjustable flip up bead, rear sight is a flat top sporting. Proof mark is off to the left on the left flat of the barrel and also proof marked on left side of receiver as top part of receiver has engraving. Comes with half magazine, blued and engraved forearm cap with sling eye attached at bottom. Left side of receiver is a No. 6 style engraving with male buck deer and doe in oval on right side. It is just a single animal of a buck deer on the run on the right side. Letter states this is a No. 8 style on right side. Factory white sheet indicates inlaid with gold on breech and muzzle end of bbl but obviously none is present . An additional letter and correspondence from noted firearms expert Herb Glass to the Buffalo Bill Historical center indicates that a second barrel was made for this rifle. This was agreed upon due to the fact that the matted barrel could not be engraved with scrolls and be matted at the same time. The factory letters are very involved and even a picture of the ledger line from Winchesters records was provided. Comes equipped with cheek piece on X fancy grade American wood. Bottom tang is marked with "21438" assembly number and "X" for the grade of wood, "R" for the rifle buttplate and CP for cheek piece, all indicated in the factory white sheet as well. "16963" penciled into upper channel of stock, this number is indicated on factory white sheet as repair and return on March 19th, 1908 order number 16963. Rifle also has double set triggers and wood is finished in oil type finish. Sling eye attached to bottom on stock to match forearm. Rifle is also equipped with takedown feature and has a case colored hammer and lever. Triggers are of a Nitre blue variety. Wood style for checkering is of an "F" grade carved wood both on stock and forearm. All these features are listed in factory white sheet. Extremely fine. Half round barrel would rate a solid 98% with original blue. Forearm cap would rate 80-85% blue. Receiver on left side retains 98-99% blue. Breech bolt is 98-99% blue. Right side of receiver matches condition of left. Loading gate is a bright Nitre blue and retains 98% of its original finish. Hammer retains 95-96% orig case color with a slight drag line of left side. Lever has 90% of its case colors mostly on the flats of lever with bottom starting to silver out somewhat. Double set triggers function as they should. Fancy American grain walnut has few impressions on cheek piece with light scratches throughout. No chips of wood missing on either side. Overall wood retains 95-97% finish. Right side of stock has plaque mounted with two screws to hold it in place. This is not mentioned in factory white sheet but does look time period to overall condition of rifle. Light frosting throughout bore otherwise bright and shiny. Cycles properly, mechanics are fine. All options are listed on factory white sheet with exception of gold on breech and muzzle end of barrel. From the Ray Bentley Collection. CORRECTION: Caliber is .32 Winchester Special.