GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
SCARCE WINCHESTER FIRST MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE. WINCHESTER 1873 21769 44 WCF (44-40) Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Standard grade rifle with 24-1/4" rnd bbl, full magazine, thinned half nickel orig front sight & early V-notch rear sight with checkered edges. Receiver is first type with mortised second type dust cover with impressed thumb print. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with straight stock and crescent buttplate that has trap. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked with the assembly number 909 which number is also found in top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. These early 1873 arms were instantly successful and in great demand on the American frontier during the great Westward Migration of Manifest Destiny. The Model 1873 was the successor to the venerable Model 1866 and being chambered for the "New" center fire cartridges that were more powerful, reliable and re-loadable, made them an instant success. These rifles most often saw extreme hard service under adverse and harsh circumstances and those few remaining are seldom found with any orig finish. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Very good to fine, all matching. Bbl retains most of its orig finish turned to chocolate brown on the upper surfaces with strong blue in sheltered areas. Magazine tube retains about 75-80% strong orig blue with the balance also a chocolate brown. Receiver and side plates retain 60-70% thinning orig blue with the loss areas mostly a light patina. Top and bottom edges are a blue/brown patina. Hammer retains faded case colors with traces of case colors on the lever which is mostly turned silver. Forend cap and buttplate have also turned silver. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 49059-18 JR (4,500-7,500)