GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
1ST MODEL WINCHESTER DELUXE MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.WINCHESTER18732577944 WCF (44-40)Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Rare special order rifle with 24-1/4" oct bbl, button magazine, half nickel front sight and early, short, semi-buckhorn rear sight with checkered edges. Mounted with about 2 X, center crotch, feather grain American walnut with early style checkered forearm & straight stock that has crescent buttplate with trap containing an orig 4-pc brass & iron cleaning rod. Receiver is 1st Type with mortised, impressed thumbprint dust cover & single set trigger. Left side of bottom tang, under the wood is marked "XX" and with the assembly no. "203". Matching assembly number is also found in top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter which identifies this rifle with oct bbl, case hardened receiver, checkered stock, short magazine & set trigger, received in warehouse Mar 10 1877 and shipped Oct 18 1877 to order no. 10370. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Very fine plus. Bbl retains about 95% original blue, slightly thin & dull over the forearm area. Receiver & sideplates retain most of their original case colors, moderately faded with some brilliant colors in the very sheltered areas. Dust cover & top of the receiver also retain most of their faded case colors. Lever retains 60-70% faded case colors and the hammer about 95% bright colors. Forend cap also retains fading case colors. Buttstock has repaired grain check in the heel with a hairline in the toe, otherwise wood is sound showing light wear and retains most of a very old light touch up finish and has a couple of small bruises on the wrist. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a spot or two of very light pitting. 49059-20 JR (20,000-30,000)