GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
WONDERFUL SPECIAL ORDER WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 SADDLE RING CARBINE.WINCHESTER1873 SRC21164144 WCFCal. .44 WCF (44-40). Standard grade carbine with 20" barrel, special order button magazine, barleycorn front sight and 1873 marked carbine ladder rear sight. Chamber area of barrel, between rear sight and receiver is marked "44 CAL". Bottom front of the receiver is marked in extremely tiny letters & numbers "J.R / 12831" which is the inventory number applied by James Rosier, Winchester's dealer in Melbourne, Australia. No indication the meaning of these markings. Left side of receiver has a staple & ring. Mounted with nicely figured, uncheckered straight grain American walnut with straight grip and carbine buttplate with trap that contains an original 3-piece brass & steel cleaning rod. This carbine was produced about 1886 at a time that arms such as found here were everyday working tools and were exposed to the extremes of weather and wear most often in a saddle scabbard or wagon box, frequently with little or no maintenance. Firearms of that era are rarely found today with high original finish. PROVENANCE: The collection of Tim Zissler. CONDITION: Very fine. Barrel retains 98-99% strong, bright, original blue with the barrel band showing about 95% strong blue. Receiver and sideplates retain about 88-90% crisp original blue showing sharp edge wear and flaking on the right front flat and left side plate. Bottom front of the receiver, at the carry point is a blue/gray patina. Lever and hammer show strong, very bright case colors, lightly to moderately faded to outer faces of lever. Lever latch & trigger show most of their original case colors, moderately faded (a most unusual bonus to find these items with case colors). Buttplate retains virtually all its original case colors turned a little dark. Wood is sound with a few minor handling and storage nicks & dings and retains most all of its bright original finish. Mechanics are crisp. Very bright shiny bore. 52463-5 JRL (12,500-17,500)