April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
Contemporary engraved and embellished Winchester Model 1873 short rifle. Chambered for the .44-40 cartridge and engraved in the Ulrich style with scroll and vine patterns with a dot punch background. Checkered stocks are done in the early "1 of 1000" pattern and have a crescent butt with trap for cleaning rod. Gold plated receiver, buttplate, and forend cap. Muzzle and chamber areas of barrel are engraved and gold banded in the "1 of 1000" pattern as well, albeit without the "1 of 1000" inscription. Barrel has been shortened professionally to 18" to give the appearance of a factory short rifle. Mounted with sporting blade front sight made of bone and a elevation adjustable rear sporting sight. Receiver has been expertly modified to give the appearance of an Open-Top variation. CONDITION: Very good with barrel and tube finishes having turned a plumb patina overall. The receiver retains over 85% of the gold plate with wear at edges and high points. The two piece checkered walnut stocks are very good and full sized with most of the contemporary finish remaining with numerous small bruises. The bore is very good with strong rifling with slight darkness in grooves. Action is crisp and properly functioning. Cased in a fitted walnut case with purple linen lining and partitioned for cleaning equipment and a reproduction box of .44-40 cartridges (empty). Case is very fine with no distress. A very attractive Winchester that has been custom engraved in the factory style and has a very great eye appeal.