GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
RARE AND DESIRABLE WINCHESTER FIRST MODEL 1873 RIFLE WITH 30" OCTAGON BARREL AND SINGLE SET TRIGGER. WINCHESTER 1873 23422 44 WCF Cal. 44 WCF. 30" oct bbl. Full magazine. Blue finish. Straight grain American walnut stocks with crescent butt. Bbl shows correct 2-line Winchester address rolled in front of rear-sight. German silver blade front-sight and sporting rear-sight. Magazine hanger mortise measures 3-3/4" of the muzzle. Receiver is of the first model type with dust cover riding in mortise. No guide rail. Dust cover has checkered 5/8" oval thumbprint. Left side of lower tang shows assembly no. "1805". Upper tang mortise of buttstock also shows assembly no. "1805" as does inside toe of buttplate. Accompanying this rifle is a Cody Firearms Records office Letter dated August 5, 2016, confirming the bbl length, and the set trigger and showing shipment on October 9, 1876. Order number 7310. CONDITION: Fine, for this model. Bbl and magazine tube shows 50-60% blue finish, blending with a smooth plumb-brown patina with some high point and muzzle wear. Bbl address is sharp. Bore is dark with strong rifling. Receiver shows 40% blue finish overall, blending with a smooth brown patina. Left sideplate has some touch up on rear portion. Receiver shows striation marks and light scratching overall. Dust cover shows traces of blue with the balance a smooth plumb-brown patina. Checkering is sharp. Loading gate shows generous traces of blue. Elevator is a mottled mustard-brown patina. Tang marks are sharp. Lower tang slightly over-hangs receiver. Set trigger functions. Hammer shows generous traces of case color with balance a plumb-brown patina, with a slight scratch on right side. Lever is also a smooth gray-brown patina with some staining. Stocks are very good, slightly under-sized and show and old varnish finish with only minuscule handling marks. Buttplate is a mottled brown patina with some roughness at heel. Forend cap shows 30% blue blending with a plumb-brown patina. 50506-1 TEP (12,500-17,500)