GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
SENSATIONAL WINCHESTER MODEL 1876 FULL DELUXE STRAIGHT GRIP RIFLE WITH FACTORY LETTER. WINCHESTER 1876 24680 45-60 Cal. 45-60. 28" full oct. bbl. Full mag with a case colored form cap, case colored receiver, blue dust cover and a nitre blued loading gate. Hammer and lever are case colored. Rifle equipped with set trigger. Thick base long range veneer tang sight with spirit level front sight. Wood is straight grip checkered XXX Grade American fancy feathercrotch walnut with assembly mark "1494R" which indicates a rifle butt. Upper channel has same number with overstamp over first 2 numbers of assembly line number on the stock. Buttplate with same matching numbers.Accompanied by incomplete 4-pc cleaning rod (missing one piece). Also accompanied by Winchester Factory Letter confirming configuration and shipped Jan 23, 1883. PROVENANCE: The spectacular collections of Ray Bentley featuring the finest and rarest deluxe antique Winchesters in the world. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Oct bbl retains 98% blue. Mag tube 96-97% toning to a soft plum on bottom. Front sight is adjustable with bubble level for the key to lock in the aperture. Rear bbl sight is standard 76 sight. Tang sight remains in excellent condition with 95% original finish. Left side case colors remain 98% with 95% are vivid. Only a small portion of the left side plate is varnish free. Right side of receiver retains 98% of case color. Loading gate retains 98-99% of soft nitre blue. Upper and lower tangs are 98% case colored with underside of receiver with vivid case colors at 98-99%. "4560" marked on brass carrier lifter and brass has turned to a mellow mustard color. Hammer retains 97% of case color with a light drag line. Lever is 90-95% case colors with bottom toning to a soft patina. Trigger retains all of its fire blue. Set trigger functions well. Buttplate 98% color with only wear on heel, balance of colors are there, soft but quite evident. Stock on left side with light surface scratches, no loss of wood, cracks or gouges are evident. Right side with a few impressions but no major cracks or splinters evident. Action functions perfectly. Bore is bright and shiny. A magnificent deluxe 1876 that is so fantastic it is almost too good to be true but true it is thanks to Ray Bentley's tireless decades long search for the finest and best Winchesters money could buy. This gun is simply awesome. 53091-154 MS (40,000-60,000)