GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE. WINCHESTER 1873 205621 44 WCF (44-40) Cal. .44 WCF (44-40). Standard grad rifle with 24-1/4" oct bbl, full magazine, standard front sight & semi-buckorn rear sight. Mounted with nicely figured, uncheckered American walnut and straight stock with crescent buttplate and trap. This rifle was produced about 1886 when the West was still very wild with Indian fighting & plenty of outlaws, cattle drives & everyday hard service. Firearms of that era were a daily used tool and are rarely found today with high orig finish. The 1873 "The Gun That Won The West" (along with the Colt revolver) was in great demand at that time in American and literally around the world. It was the most reliable, accurate & reasonably powerful repeating firearm of its era. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine. Bbl and magazine tube retain about 95-97% strong orig blue with only light sharp edge wear and a scrape on the top flat, magazine tube is turning a little plum. Forend cap has some light candy stripping and shows 92-93% orig blue. Receiver and side plates retain 93-94% strong orig blue with sharp edge wear and some light thinning on bottom front and left side plate. Hammer retains most of it orig case colors, moderately faded & the lever strong case colors in sheltered areas turned silver, on outer faces. Buttplate has turned silver. Wood is sound with light nicks and scratches and a couple bruises on the buttstock, with the buttstock retaining 95-97% strong orig varnish. Forearm retains about 70% orig varnish showing wear on the carry point. Mechanics are fine. Very bright shiny bore. 49059-13 JR (5,000-8,000)