This is an incredibly unusual and fascinating First Model Winchester Model 1873 rifle that was special ordered from the factory so that it could be completed by a gunsmith in Pittsburgh in 1875, and it features a rare 1875 dated inscription. The factory records indicates this rifle was ordered with an octagon "Bennington twist barrel" (miss-reading of Remington), a set trigger, and no sights or stock and indicates it was received in the warehouse on August 18, 1875, and shipped the same day in order 3583. The rifle has a browned Damascus barrel with partially visible "REMINGTON/TWISTED" marking on the left at the breech, dovetailed blade front and adjustable sporting rear sight, "H.H. SCHULTE/PITTSBURGH" marked on top at the breech, and a blued full-length magazine tube fitted underneath. The first model action is nickel plated and has a blued dust cover riding in the slots in the frame and is equipped with a single set trigger. Serial number "7043" is in script on the lower tang, and the upper tang has "MODEL. 1873." in fancy script. The forearm is smooth walnut and is fitted with an ornate nickel-silver wear plate with scroll engraving. The highly figured straight wrist buttstock has a checkered wrist, a nicely sculpted cheekpiece with an escutcheon neatly inscribed "Joel Fink/Sept. 14th 1875." and nickel-silver furniture with scroll engraving, including a small "cap box" on the right and an ornate toe plate. Herman Henry Schulte (1842-1913) immigrated from Germany in the early 1850s, trained as a gunsmith, and served in the American Civil War. He worked for talented gunmaker William Craig (c. 1820-1877) in Pittsburgh following the war. Craig is known to have made very fine target rifles, including examples used by Union sharpshooters, and Schulte eventually took over Craig's Iron City Gun Works. His ads in 1876 listed "Rifles, shot guns, pistols and ammunition for Black Hills parties and others. Fishing tackle, sporting apparatus, etc.; a full assortment at lowest prices at H.H. Schulte's Iron City Gun Works, No. 320 Liberty street. Send for price list." J.H. Johnston's Great Western Gun Works was located just down the street at 285 Liberty Street. Schulte remained in the gun trade in Pennsylvania through the 1870s before moving to St. Louis, Missouri, for several years and then returned to Pennsylvania in the late 1880s. The overall style of the work of this rifle is very similar to the Schulte rifle sold in our April 2018 Premier Auction in lot 1217. Joel Fink (1827-1907) was active in the oil business in Pennsylvania in the 1870s and became a wealthy man and was also involved in several other business ventures including the Clymer Water Company which was founded after one of his wells struck an underground water supply. As a prominent businessman, he was also involved in local affairs, including as one of the first councilmen of St. Petersburg, Pennsylvania, which was incorporated in 1872. He purchased a large farm east of Pittsburgh and in his latter years moved to a home in nearby Livermore. The significance of the date on the rifle is not clear. It may simply be when the rifle was completed for him.

Extremely fine with 95% plus original nickel plating remaining, 75% plus of the lightly fading original brown finish remaining on the barrel along with visible twist patterns, 90% plus original blue finish on the magazine tube and dust cover, strong case colors on the hammer and lever, and significant original finish on the small parts. Aside from a thin and stable crack in the wrist, the wood is very fine and has crisp checkering, attractive figure, and minor marks and scratches. Mechanically excellent. This is an incredible rifle: a truly one-of-a-kind documented special order First Model 1873 custom built in 1875 by a Pittsburgh gunsmith for a local businessman, and it remains in extraordinary high condition. This is definitely a very special piece!