1293

Deluxe, First Model, Winchester 1873 Rifle with Factory Letter

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:9,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Deluxe, First Model, Winchester 1873 Rifle with Factory Letter
Buyer's Premium is 19.5% by credit card, reduced to 17% if payment is made by cash, check or wire transfer. Contact Rock Island Auction Company to complete your registration with the auction house.

Estimate: $18000 - 27500
This is an example of a desirable First Model Deluxe Winchester 1873 rifle that was manufactured in 1876. The rifle has the very desirable First Model 1873 features that include checkered, oval, finger grip on the dust cover and loading lever latch with visible threads. The is a deluxe rifle that features special order casehardened receiver, single set trigger, fancy grade, highly figured, walnut stock and forearm and checkered panels on the forearm and stock wrist. The rifle has an extra length 28 inch octagon barrel, full length magazine and crescent steel buttplate with sliding brass trap. The barrel has a dovetail mounted front sight with nickel-silver blade and a sporting style rear sight. The barrel and magazine are blued and the receiver, dust cover, loading lever, hammer and buttplate have a casehardened finish. The receiver tang is factory drilled and tapped for a tang sight and roll-stamped: "MODEL. 1873." in fancy letters. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped: "WINCHESTER"S-REPEATING ARMS.NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." in two lines. The serial number "11512" is engraved on the lower tang behind the loading lever latch. A letter from the Cody Firearms Museum Record's Office confirms all features.
BBL: 28 inch
Stock: walnut checkered
Gauge: 44-40
Finish: casehardened/blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 11512
Condition: Very fine. The rifle retains 75% of the original blue finish overall. The receiver, dust cover and hammer have 70% plus the original casehardened finish with strong case colors. The buttplate and loading lever show some handling wear but retain 50% of the original finish. The barrel and tang markings are crisp. The butt stock is very fine overall condition; the checkering on the revarnished forearm is slightly flattened from handling and there is a two-inch, hairline crack in the right side of the forearm. This is very fine example of a scarce and very desirable Deluxe Winchester First Model 1873 Rifle with casehardened receiver, checkered, fancy walnut stock and forearm and single set trigger.