February 17-19, 2020 Field & Range Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2020
Features round musket length barrel, blue finish, steel blade military pattern front sight, ladder elevation adjustable rear sight and two piece American walnut finger grooved stocks with matching top hand guard. "KSM" Kelly S. Morse military inspectors markings found on hammer, lever and bolt assemblies. Morse is listed as a inspector for the 1895 US contract musket. 10,000 of these rifles were purchased by the Ordnance Department with 9,900 of them being sold to Cuba, leaving 100 being sold to state militias of which this example was assigned to Colorado. Marked on right side "NATIONAL GUARD OF COLORADO". Little is known of this state guard contract other than the turbulent times of the period in Colorado. Several examples of these contract muskets have been observed in the past 15 years and most have been in extremely hard used condition. This example chambered for the .30 Gov't cartridge (.30-40 Krag) is good overall with traces of blue finish in very protected areas, balance worn smooth and a mottled bare steel finish. Left side of receiver has been drilled and tapped for a side sight at a much earlier time. American walnut stocks have a more contemporary varnish finish with evidence of a property cartouche or other stamping on right side of butt. Receiver bridge is marked "2 B 38" and is believed to be a regimental marking. Walnut hand guard has a period and appropriate dovetailed splice to remedy a crack that has again reopened. This is a very uncommon Winchester lever action with a unique Western American provenance. Factory letter states this rifle was shipped March 30th, 1899