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Rare Factory Inscribed Atlanta Police Department Shipped Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle wi

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:3,500.00 USD Estimated At:7,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Rare Factory Inscribed Atlanta Police Department Shipped Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle wi
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Rare Factory Inscribed Atlanta Police Department Shipped Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter

Manufactured in 1890, this rifle is 1 of a group of Winchester Model 1873 rifles with 44 caliber octagon barrels purchased by the Atlanta Police Department in the late 1880s. All were factory inscribed "Atlanta Police" with a large number above on the left side plate and were equipped with sling swivels. This particular rifle has the large number "120" above the inscription. This rifle is a Third Model which features the dust cover guide rail integral to the top of the receiver and dust cover has the serrated finger grip on the rear. Dovetailed blade front and adjustable buckhorn rear sights with the top barrel flat marked with the two line address/King's improvement patent dates ahead of the rear sight and "44 W.C.F." at the breech. The upper tang is marked "MODEL. 1873" flanked by the decorative foliate design, the serial number is at the rear of the lower tang and the bottom of the brass cartridge elevator is marked "44 CAL." Full magazine tube and mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with forend cap and crescent buttplate with compartment (cleaning rod not included). There is a sling swivel mounted on the forend cap and on the stock. The accompanying factory letter verifies the rifle configuration, caliber, octagon barrel, plain trigger, "Atlanta Police" engraved, #121, that it was received in the warehouse on February 21, 1890 and shipped to order number 9045 on February 24, 1890. Also with the rifle is a copy of the Winchester ledger listing a portion of the shipment which also lists this rifle as being number 121. Writer believes this could be a ledger error. In looking at the ledger there is no numerical sequence to which the rifles were numbered. The rifle serial numbers are in order, but the assigned Atlanta P.D. numbers are not. The ledger lists serial number 331966 as being number 120. Regardless this is a documented Atlanta Police Department shipped Model 1873 rifle. This rifle is 1 of 2 being sold in this auction that were shipped to the Atlanta Police Department on the same day to the same order number and having serial numbers 5 numbers apart.

Manufacture: Winchester
Model: 1873
BBL: 24 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 WCF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 331965B

Very good. The barrel and magazine tube retain traces of original blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance. The receiver retains 20% original blue finish concentrated on the upper rear, rear sides and protected area around the side plate. The balance has a smooth mottled brown patina. The wood is good with 30% of the varnish remaining on the stock and little on the forearm showing a few shallow gashes and gouges on the stock, and overall some minor dings and dents. The markings are crisp and clear. The action is fine.