Manufactured in 1879, this rifle has seen heavy use. This rifle is a Third Model that and features a full tubular magazine, fixed German silver front sight and adjustable rear sporting rifle sight. The top of the barrel is marked "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING ARMS, NEW HAVEN. CT. / KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29, 1866, OCTOBER 16, 1860". The serial number is marked on the lower tang behind the trigger. Straight grip stock and forearm with a steel end cap and iron crescent buttplate with a compartment which contains a four piece cleaning rod. This rifle has the number "19" stamped on the bottom of the receiver to match Milton's badge number. Jeff Milton's name is also written under the buttplate. Also included is the original brown leather scabbard with adjustable leather strap Milton carried this rifle in. Includes a book by J. Evetts Haley, "JEFF MILTON / A GOOD MAN WITH A GUN" and a binder with stories of Milton's life, pictures and newspaper articles. The accompanying documentation states that this gun belonged to Texas Ranger / Sheriff Jeff Milton, the son of the Governor of Florida. In 1877 he moved to Texas where he worked for his brother-in-law as a cowboy on a cattle ranch he saved his money and bought a horse, a "six gun" and an old .44 Winchester. Three years later he joined the Texas Rangers and reached the rank of corporal (The rifle was manufactured in 1879, so it could have been used at this time). In May, 1881 Milton and another man were accused of murdering W.P. Patterson, a cattleman living in Colorado City. He was cleared of the charges and by 1884 he was working as a deputy sheriff in Socorro County, New Mexico. While at this post he killed three Mexican gunmen. Milton moved to El Paso where he became chief of police. With his deputy, the famous George Scarborough, he killed Martin Morose, a suspected rustler. In July 1898 the two men badly wounded Bronco Bill Walters in a gunfight. In 1900 Milton was working for Wells Fargo. In one incident he killed outlaw, Jack Dunlap. Later he worked as a range detective, a prospector and an official in the Immigration Service. In 1930 he retired to Tombstone and died in Tucson in 1947. He was always known as "a good man with a gun." A corresponding Colt Single Action Army is also in this auction.

Fair. The barrel, magazine and buttplate have turned an even smooth brown with high edge wear. The lever and hammer are grey with a mottled brown. The brass receiver has mellowed in color and has many minor handling marks. The wood is battered. The wrist of the buttstock has two one inch cracks and is solid, the forearm has a crack on both sides coming from the nose cap, the forearm is loose. The action is mechanically fine. The scabbard is worn, only one stitch in the leather lacing has worn through at the muzzle otherwise all the lacing is good. The strap loops have been moved once and re attached, leaving old lacing holes behind. The leather is still supple. Mechanically good.