October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
According to the factory letter, this rifle was shipped on March 12th, 1883 as a half octagon half magazine rifle with plain trigger, pistol grip checkered stock and case hardened frame. It exists in this configuration today. Also features standard Winchester sporting front sight, sporting rear sight, long range tang sight with large disc. Late Second Model with screwed down dust cover guide. Tang sight appears to be a No. 36B, a special sight made specifically for the Model 1873; a rare sight in its own right. CONDITION: Barrel retains approximately 85% original factory blue with razor sharp legends and edges. You can see thinning with patina showing through on sides of barrel, perfectly blended. Left side of frame has approximately 40% original case colors. 70% case colors on left side of hammer. 40% case colors on lever. Right side is much nice, retaining 75-80% case colors on frame, bright colors on side of lever, 75% colors on hammer. 90% fire blue on loading gate. 50% bright blue on dust cover. Balance of frame has simply nickeled out with age spotting. Buttplate has patterned out. Wood is excellent to near mint, proud to metal with sharp checkering. Screw heads are basically straight. Razor sharp lands and shiny grooves. Fine action. This is a very handsome, special order 1873 in a great configuration, caliber and condition. CORRECTION: Late Second Model with screwed down dust cover guide.