GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
EXTREMELY RARE WINCHESTER MODEL 1876 ONE OF ONE THOUSAND LEVER ACTION RIFLE.WINCHESTER1876355145-75Cal 45-75. Most rare of the 76's this fabulous one of one thousand has 30″ oct bbl, full magazine, gold washed Beach's combination front sight with an "1876" dated rifle ladder rear sight. Mounted with extremely, beautiful, XXX checkered American walnut with early style pattern on forearm and serpentine grip cap on buttstock with fleur-de-lis ebony inlay and a replacement hard rubber buttplate embossed in intertwined letters "SRCo." (Sharps Rifle Co.). Top tang is mounted with a Sharps style sporting tang sight with 3-1/2" staff. Bbl is engraved in typical one of 1,000 style with foliate arabesque patterns on top & side flats over chamber area and inscribed in script on top flat "One of One Thousand". There is also a narrow silver band at the receiver. Muzzle is engraved to match on top three flats and side flats, also with an inlaid silver band. Left side of lower tang under the wood is stamped "XXX" with the assembly number "160" which has been X'd out with the additional assembly number "89" further to the right. Top tang channel of buttstock is stamped with an "S" and the assembly number "160". Top flat of bbl, forward of the engraving and top of receiver ring, are stamped with the Winchester "WP" proof in a circle signifying that this rifle was returned to Winchester and proof tested after about 1904. Top of receiver has a 2nd model attached dust cover rail with impressed thumb print dust cover. Fitted with a single set trigger. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum Records Office work sheet which identifies this rifle with 30″ oct bbl, set trigger, pistol grip stock, case hardened receiver and "one of one thousand". It was received in the warehouse May 20, 1878 and shipped June 19, 1878 to Order #11781. There is an additional notation "CH 6/14/78". There is no indication as to what the "CH" stands for. Previous informaiton disclosed that this rifle was, at one time accompanied by a 10-page letter from noted researcher, historian & author, R.L. Wilson detailing much of the above information. He additionally states that during his research for his book "Winchester The Golden Age of American Gunmaking 1 of 1000", he discovered that of the 63,871 Models 1876 produced there were only 51 made as a one of 1,000. This rifle was discovered by Universal Studios as part of their promotion for the Jimmy Stewart movie, "Winchester 73", when they offered a new Winchester Model 94 rifle to the first twenty owners of authentic One of 1,000 rifles who contacted them with proof of ownership. During this promotion the movie studio located twenty three Models 1873 and six Models 1876 One of 1,000 rifles. The owner of this rifle, Mr. Robert Steele Withers of Liberty, Missouri, in a letter to Mr. Bill Depperman, Washington, D.C., dated May 23, 1950, described his Winchester One of 1,000, which turned out to be an authentic specimen which earned him a free Winchester Model '94. In his letter Mr. Withers states that he inherited this rifle from a deceased neighbor. He also states that he had sent it to "the Winchester Company with instructions to put it in perfect condition". He further states that the gentleman who bequeathed it to him had traded for this rifle while he was recuperating from tuberculosis in Tombstone, AZ. In a second letter dated June 10, 1950 Mr. Withers identifies the neighbor as Claude Hardwick of Liberty, MO and reiterates his sending it to Winchester for restoration and what he was told the Winchester records contained. Mr. Wilson states that this rifle, being an early 2nd Model with 4-digit serial number, is of substantial importance as very few are known in this range. Mr. Wilson also states that the bottom of the bbl is marked with the serial number as is the breech end of the magazine tube. The last two digits of the serial number are on the carrier, carrier arm & lever while the hammer & dust cover are marked "89", which is the assembly number found on lower tang. The sideplates are marked "57" which was X'd out and the number "89" stamped adjacent. No attempt was made at disassembly to verify these statements. Also accompanying this rifle are copies of Mr. Withers' letters mentioned above along with a copy of a notarized statement dated 1952 wherein he is certifying that he is the owner of this rifle and reiterates its history. There are several other copies of letters between Mr. Depperman & Mr. Withers, a Mr. Andre from Winchester to Mr. Withers and several other pieces of correspondence. It is believed that in the early 1950's when Mr. Withers returned his rifle to Winchester for refurbishing that they were no longer doing color case hardening so it was given a full blue treatment, including receiver, lever & hammer. It was very likely at this time that the proof marks were stamped on the bbl & receiver. This rifle is pictured and described on pages 100-101 of The Story of The Winchester 1 of 1000 and 1 of 100 Rifles, Lewis. The text surrounding this rifle in the book reiterates some of the above information. This rifle is listed by SN in the chart on page 89 of referenced publication. This listing also shows that order number "11781" had 4 other Models 1876 1 of 1000 rifles with the other 3 serial number's being 750, 4771, 4772. The listing on page 26 of the referenced publication also shows that order "11781" additionally had 4 Models 1873 1 of 1000 rifles whose serial numbers were 30160, 30161, 30162 & 30180. PROVENANCE: Robert Steele Withers Collection; Claude Hardwick; John Fox Collection. CONDITION: Very fine plus. Overall retains about 99% strong factory blue with only the most faint sharp edge wear. Wood is sound with forearm retaining about 20% orig varnish and the checkering showing moderate wear. Buttstock has a couple of gouges on left side with other light nicks & scratches and retains about 90% strong orig piano finish varnish. It is readily apparent that the wood was not refinished during the 1950's restoration process. The buffing & bluing did however greatly thin out the top tang markings as well as the serial number on the bottom tang although both markings are still visible. Bbl address is still sharp & clear. Mechanics are fine, strong bore with good shine and some orange peel effect in the grooves. This is a rare rifle with a well documented history. 50832-5 JRL (75,000-125,000)