GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE. WINCHESTER 1873 109977 32 WCF (32-20) Cal. .32 WCF. Standard grade rifle with 24-1/4" rnd bbl, full magazine, half nickel front sight and early semi-buckhorn rear sight with checkered edges. Receiver is small frame style with stepped top front edge. Mounted with nicely figured, uncheckered American walnut with straight stock and crescent buttplate without trap. This is an early ''73 rifle in caliber 32 produced not too long after this caliber was introduced in this model. This rifle was manufactured in about 1883 at a time when the daily use of a firearm was a way of life for both hunting and protection. The cal. 32 rifles were not considered "Serious" hunting or defense weapons but were mostly regulated to small game and garden pest shooting. The were considered to be boys or ladies rifles and usually saw very hard service often with little or no maintenance and are rarely found today with high original finish. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Very fine, bbl and magazine tube retain about 98% crip, original, factory finish. Receiver and side plates retain about 95% strong original finish with sharp edge wear and some light scratches. Hammer retains strong case colors and the lever bright case colors on the sides, fading on outer faces. Buttplate retains strong original case colors, lightly to moderately faded. Wood is sound with a few minor nicks and retains most of an old added finish that has been exposed to heat and humidity while in a cloth case leaving the cloth pattern in the finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore, shows very little use. 49059-17 JR (4,000-6,000)