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Lot 3015:Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Rifle with Unique Swiss Cheek Piece

September 13th, 2020|Rock Island, IL
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  • /Lot 3015

Lot 3015:Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Rifle with Unique Swiss Cheek Piece

September 13th, 2020|Rock Island, IL
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Estimated Price$30,000 - $50,000
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Extremely Rare Factory Documented Special Order, Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Swiss Cheek Piece in Winchester 1873 Book

This is an exceptionally rare example of a Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Swiss cheekpiece, pistol grip stock, and nickel plated Buttplate. This rifle is complete with a Cody Firearms Museum letter and copies of the Winchester factory ledger. In addition, this rifle is pictured and described on page 141 of "WINCHESTER'S NEW MODEL OF 1873" Vol. I by James D. Gordon who states: "One of the most unusual features to be found on a Model 1873 is the cheekpiece. These are usually associated with target rifles." The Cody Museum letter lists the manufacturer's date for this rifle as: "Rifle, 32 caliber, Barrel Length: 26 inches, Barrel Shape: Octagon, Plain trigger, Fancy wood, Checkered stock with pistol grip, Swiss cheek piece" and "Casehardened". The letter states that this rifle was shipped from Winchester on June 29, 1894. The rifle has a special order, 26-inch barrel. The barrel has a Rocky Mountain front sight with nickel-silver blade and a buckhorn, sporting style, rear sight with serrated edges. A graduated peep sight with late style rounded base is mounted on the upper tang. The special order, casehardened, Third Model receiver has an integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrated edges. The forearm and pistol grip are highly figured, 3X, fancy grade walnut with a high polish piano finish and factory "Style H" checkering. The early style rounded pistol grip with horn insert on the bottom. The special order cheek piece and Swiss Buttplate were intended for off-hand competition shooting while the 26-inch barrel provided a longer sight radius and better balance. The top of the rifle barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CONN.U.S.A./-KING'S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860-" ahead of the rear sight. "32 W.C.F." is stamped on the top of the barrel just in front of the rounded receiver step and "32 CAL" is roll-stamped in script letters across the brass cartridge elevator. The serial number is correctly stamped across the lower tang behind the lever latch.

ConditionVery fine overall. 95% of the slightly faded original blue finish is present on the barrel and full-length magazine. The markings are crisp. The case colors on the receiver sides, side plates, hammer and lever remain 60% intact. The case colors on the contact points on the receiver bottom, forward edges and top show light handling wear with traces of silver patina. The dust cover has a gray-brown patina. The highly figured, fancy grain, stock and forearm are both very fine and retain most of the original high polish piano finish. The finish on the bottom and sides of the forearm between the receiver and the rear edge of the checkered panel has dulled slightly from handling; the remainder of the forearm and all of the stock retain the high polish finish. The fine checkering on the forearm and pistol grip shows minimal wear. There are a few very minor handling marks on the forearm and the stock. This is an exceptional example of an extremely rare, deluxe, special order Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with documented cheek piece and Swiss Buttplate.
Details
ManufacturerWinchester
Model1873
TypeRifle
Serial number
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge32 WCF
Barrel26 inch octagon
Finishblue/casehardened
Stockhighly figured Swiss butt

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views1526
Catalog page20
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