GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
RARE AND HIGHLY DESIRABLE MODEL 1873 WINCHESTER RIFLE THIRD MODEL WITH FACTORY CASE COLORED RECEIVER.WINCHESTER187339603044Cal. 44-40. 24-3/8" full oct bbl. Full magazine. Rocky Mountain front sight with a standard bbl rear sight with a caliber marking 44-40 WCF. Wood has raised grain throughout indicating very little use. The figure in the wood is of a higher grade than standard but there are no stampings to indicate 1X though it is certainly 1X quality. Case hardening was an extra hence the use by the factory of a higher grade of wood. Very few impressions on wood on the left side and hardly any noticeable impressions on the right side and retaining all the virtually all the finish on the stock and forearm as well. Carrier lifter retains caliber marking as well. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Records Office research sheet which confirms configuration incl casehardening and shipped on Sept 11, 1891, Order # 10599. PROVENANCE: The spectacular collections of Ray Bentley featuring the finest and rarest deluxe antique Winchesters in the world. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbl is 96% blue. Magazine tube is 96-98% blue. Forearm cap is a 96% case colored. Left side of the receiver is 95% plus case colored. Right side is 96% case colored with the nitre blue loading gate retaining 96% blue. Lever & hammer retain the majority of its case colors. Bright on the lever as well as the back end of the hammer. Buttplate is 95% strong case colors. Wood to metal fit is excellent with no chips or splinters missing from forearm or stock. Four piece cleaning rod is present in stock. All screws on the side plates look to be marred up somewhat. Nosecap screws are marred also. Mechanics are fine and cycles correctly. Bore is bright and shiny. 1873 rifles with case colored frames are rare in themselves, highly prized by collectors, and to find a plain rifle with vibrant factory case hardening is most unusual as most are deluxe guns with pistol grip stocks. 53091-40 MS (15,000-20,000)