GUN FALL 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/4/2016
RARE AND DESIRABLE WINCHESTER THIRD MODEL 1873 RIFLE WITH 32" OCTAGON BARREL, RECEIVER TANG SIGHT AND CRESCENT BUTTPLATE. WINCHESTER 1873 288634B 32 WCF Cal. 32 WCF. 32" oct bbl. Blue finish. Full magazine with 2 hangers. Beach's combination front-sight. Semi buckhorn rear-sight. Bbl has 2-line Winchester address and cal mark at breech-end. Receiver is of the stepped variety with SN stamped on lower tang behind lever latch. Upper tang is marked Model 1873 with finials. Elevator is marked "32 CAL". Tang sight is of the thick base type with a long staff. Sight spring is stamped "73" on bottom surface. Accompanying this rifle is a Cody Firearms Museum Letter dated March 22, 1982, confirming cal and bbl length and showing shipment on February 9, 1889. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains 20-30% blue with high point and muzzle wear and some staining along the top flat. Bbl address is sharp. Bore is frosty with visible rifling. Magazine tube is a plumb-blue-brown patina with blue in protected areas. Receiver retains 80% blue finish overall with high point wear and small scratches overall. Dust cover also retains 80% blue finish. Receiver screws are unmarred. Loading gate shows a generous amount of fire-blue finish. Elevator is a deep mustard-brown patina with sharp mark. Hammer shows vivid case color overall with some scratching on left side. Checkering is sharp. Lever is a gray-brown patina with traces of case color in protected areas. Tang markings are sharp and clear. Tang sight is fine and shows nearly all the blue finish. Staff has pad installed on top, to prevent stock damage. Stocks are fine, full-sized and retain nearly all of varnish finish, with slight handling marks overall. Buttplate is a gray-brown patina with some roughness at heel. Forend cap is also a plumb-brown patina with traces of blue. Slight wear-mark on right side. 50506-25 TEP (6,000-10,000)