October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2019
Manufactured 1877. 1st Model 1873 Winchester with recessed thumbprint dust cover. Special order options are 3X deluxe checkered walnut stocks, single set trigger factory sling swivels and rare 28" octagon barrel. Traditional two line Winchester address on barrel. Serial numbered on tang with assembly number 6 found on left side of tang as well as stock mortise and buttplate underside at tor. Tang is also marked "XXX" indicating deluxe wood. Blade front sight with scalloped base and appropriate early elevator adjustable rear sight. Rifle was originally blued with cased colored receiver. CONDITION: Traces of case colors are evident on interior of tang. Balance of finish on barrel, magazine and buttplate are now an even chocolate patina with the receiver and lever having turned a mottled dove grey. Special order 1st Model 1873 rifles are quite uncommon and when found typically they are very hard used and in poor condition. This example has traces of blue finish remaining in protected areas around magazine tube and case colors on protected areas of tang. The bore is very good with darkness in grooves but very string rifling. All matching assembly numbers and solid lock up. The checkered walnut stocks are worn but full sized and very honest. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms research letter stating that the rifle was shipped with an octagon 28" barrel, set trigger, checkered stock, case colored finish, and sling and swivels; shipped August 28th, 1876. Considering the fact that this rifle was produced at the same time period as Custer's disaster at the Little Bighorn it is quite amazing that it exist in this honest state of preservation. TDW
Paperwork
Cody Firearms Research