May 28 & 29, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/28/2020
Engraving is very similar to the example shown in Winchester's 1897 "HIGHLY FINISHED ARMS CATALOG" as Style No. 10. The Winchester Museum Archival letter that accompanies this carbine documents it as $5.00 engraved. Frame exhibits classic scroll work with a punch dot background. Left side of frame features an oval panel scene with a buck and doe deer surrounded by scrolls and border work. A nearly identical example is shown on page 90 of R.L. Wilson's classic work "WINCHESTER" "AN AMERICAN LEGEND". A second similar gun, attributed to Theodore Roosevelt is shown on page 131. Features include a standard 20" full round barrel and magazine tube. Chambered in desirable .44-40 caliber. Square base with pinned blade front sight and fold down ladder rear barrel sight. Highly figured deluxe grade stock and forearm with deluxe high finish varnish and 'H' style checkering. Carbine style buttplate with light scroll work on the heel. Barrel, magazine, sights, all screw heads (with exception of one gold screw located on tang), saddle ring and staple, hammer, lever, trigger, bolt, and loading gate are all nickel plated. Gold finished barrel bands, frame, and buttplate. CONDITION: Excellent overall with 90+% original nickel plate on barrel and magazine tube. 95% nickel on bolt an hammer. Lever shows 90+% nickel with some light blistering. 95% original gold on frame and buttplate. Wood is excellent showing modest wear. Bore is fine with light abrasion. Action is tight and crisp. Overall a very desirable and documented, highly finished Winchester that has previously been in several prestigious collections. -MKS-
CORRECTION: After further examination, there is a bulge in the barrel at muzzle forward of front barrel band. Front barrel band shows a hairline crack by screw.