October 25, 2023 The Paul Friedrich Collection of Firearms & Gold Rush
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/25/2023
Extremely scarce, high condition, Deluxe second model 1876 built by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1881. Scarce 26" blued round barrel chambered in the desirable .50-95 W.C.F. with Winchester address and King's Patent markings on the rare fully matted barrel. Barrel has a hunting front sight and 22 rear adjustable sight. Scarce, blued, button magazine tube. Case hardened second model pistol grip frame with brass elevator marked "50-95" and plain trigger. Tang marked "269" with "XXX" under the wood and serial number "20840" stamped behind lever latch. Gun has $2.50 floral engraving on lever, hammer, and nosecap. Blued dust cover marked "WINCHESTER EXPRESS / 50 CAL 95 GRS". Madis lists only 127 guns with factory engraving. Deluxe XXX checkered walnut pistol grip stock has "269" stamped in top tang channel and an ebony Christmas tree-shaped grip inlay. Rare unmarked hard rubber checkered shotgun style buttplate similar to buttplates seen on Sharps. Matching diamond pattern checkered walnut forearm with case-hardened floral engraved nosecap. Cody Research letter from 1989 confirms all options except for the lack of platinum sight lines (possible mistake in book, since everything else matches), which are not present; shipped to the warehouse in January of 1882. CONDITION: 92% fading original factory barrel blue with some light edge wear and freckling, and a small ding in the barrel on the underside. Magazine tube has some light edge wear. 92% vivid case colors with slight wear and discoloration on handling areas. Nosecap and buttplate retain 90% fading colors. Good action screws. 90% original varnish with sharp checkering, no visible repairs or restoration, and only light usage dings and bruises. Bright and shiny bore with visible rifling and crisp mechanics. A super rare '76 that would be hard to improve upon and hard to find in this configuration; for the serious '76 collector.
Paperwork
Factory Letters, Photographs