GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
ANTIQUE WINCHESTER 1ST MODEL 1873 SADDLE RING CARBINE WITH FACTORY LETTER.WINCHESTER1873 SRC1249144 WCFCal. 44 WCF. 20" rnd bbl. Full magazine, full blue finish having straight grain American walnut stocks with steel carbine buttplate. Bbl shows correct 2-line Winchester address rolled in front of rear sight. Front sight is on the bbl band and has a square notch cut in the rear. Rear sight is of the carbine flip type. Receiver is of the 1st model variety without a dust cover guide. Dust cover rides in a mortise on the top of the frame. Dust cover shows correct finely checkered oval thumbprint, which measures 5/8" long. Upper tang is marked "MODEL 1873" without finials. "3" is stamped on the upper tang behind model designation - this could be a rack no. of some type. SN is engraved on the lower tang behind the lever latch. Elevator has the initials "A. J." scratched on the bottom. The right side of the buttstock has brass tack decoration showing the letter "J". This carbine is accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter confirming features and showing shipment on Dec. 13, 1876 to order no. 7930. CONDITION: Very good. Bbl shows a smooth blue-brown patina overall with slight traces of blue. Markings are sharp. Sights are very good. Bore is frosty with strong rifling. Receiver retains a generous amount of blue in protected areas under the lever and around the hammer. There is a saddle ring shadow present. Balance of finish blends to a plum-brown patina with visible striation marks. Dust cover shows traces of blue with replacement screw. Lever, hammer, trigger, and sideplate screws are replacements. Loading gate shows a trace of fire blue. Tang markings are sharp, tang screw is slightly battered. Stocks are very good, slightly undersized, and show and old varnish finish likely applied at the time the stock was decorated. Buttplate is a mottled grey-brown patina with some stains. Bbl bands are a grey-brown patina, forearm band screw is a replacement. Mechanics are crisp. A very good example of a 1st model 1873 Winchester Carbine, many of which saw service with the Texas Rangers at the time that this carbine was manufactured. 52695-1 TEP (2,750-5,000)