GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
EXTRAORDINARY WINCHESTER MODEL 1876 DELUXE EXPRESS RIFLE WITH 22" BARREL AND SHOTGUN BUTT.WINCHESTER18762423650-95Cal. 50-95. 22" rnd bbl. Button magazine. Blue and case color finish. Highly figured American walnut stocks with checkered pistol grip and forearm. Bbl shows correct 2-line Winchester address rolled in front of rear-sight with "50-CAL" at breech-end. There are 4 British proofs on left side of bbl at breech. Front sight has a German silver blade, sporting rear-sight. Receiver has Model 1876 stamped on upper tang without finials and is of the second model type with guide rail attached by a screw. SN is stamped on lower tang behind lever latch. There is a small British proof on forward left top of receiver. Dust cover is roll marked "Winchester Express over 50-CAL. 95 GRS". Elevator is marked "50-95". Lower tang has assembly no. "332" stamped with "XXX" stamped in front and "S" to rear. Upper tang mortise of buttstock shows assembly no. "332". Inside toe of buttplate has assembly no. "65" that is double struck. Toe of buttstock under plate, also shows assembly no. "65". Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum Letter dated June 28, 2007, showing rifle, 50-95, 22" rnd bbl, plain trigger, checkered stocks, half magazine, shotgun butt, case colored finish and "inside finish", which indicates that the receiver was polished on the inside for smoothness of operation. Grade of stocks is not listed, but is confirmed as being "XXX" by orig tang markings. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains 60% blue finish that has drifted to a smooth plumb-brown patina overall, with a few minuscule scratches. Bbl markings are sharp and clear. Bore is bright with sharp rifling. Receiver retains 70% of the vivid case color with generous traces of lacquer traces remaining. Receiver has a few scratch marks overall, and some high point wear. No roughness. Dust cover retains 90% blue with a sharp mark and some slight scratches. Guide-rail also contains a considerable amount of blue finish. Hammer retains a generous amount of case color with some oil staining on sides and vivid color on front face. Firing pin also retains a generous amount of blue finish. Inside of elevator mortise shows polished finish with traces of case color. Lever shows 50-60% vivid case color finish with a generous amount of lacquer. All markings are sharp. Stocks are fine, full-sized, and retain nearly all of the varnish finish, with sharp checkering and only light handling marks overall. Buttplate is a smooth gray-brown patina with a few rough spots. Forend cap shows vivid case color on both sides with considerable lacquer remaining. A wonderfully preserved Winchester Deluxe Model 1876 Express rifle with special order bbl, destined for the English market. Hard to improve upon. 50668-1 TEP (37,500-50,000)