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  • Auction Catalog #85
  • Lot #3175
Lot #3174
Lot #3176

Lot 3175: John Hart's Winchester Model 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine

Documented Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine Formerly in the Collection of Famous Hollywood Actor John Hart, Who Played the Lone Ranger, with Authenticity Documentation and Two Leather Scabbards

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 15, 2022

Lot 3175: John Hart's Winchester Model 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine

Documented Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine Formerly in the Collection of Famous Hollywood Actor John Hart, Who Played the Lone Ranger, with Authenticity Documentation and Two Leather Scabbards

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 15, 2022

Estimated Price: $10,000 - $20,000
Price Realized:
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Documented Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine Formerly in the Collection of Famous Hollywood Actor John Hart, Who Played the Lone Ranger, with Authenticity Documentation and Two Leather Scabbards

Manufacturer: Winchester
Model: 1894-Carbine
Type: Rifle
Gauge: 32 W.S.
Barrel: 20 inch round
Finish: blue
Grip:
Stock: walnut
Item Views: 1435
Item Interest: Very Active
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 118
Class: Curio & Relic Long Gun
Description:

Included with this Winchester Model 1894 carbine is a letter signed by John Hart, the famous Hollywood actor who portrayed the Lone Ranger for a short time in the mid-1950s. The letter lists the carbine by serial number and states that it was previously part of his personal collection along with the included Winchester leather scabbard. There is also a certificate of authenticity signed by Mick LaFever, friend and agent of Hart's, certifying Hart's signature. Also included is another letter signed by LaFever certifying the provenance of the carbine as well as a John Hart signed photo of himself portraying the Lone Ranger with a brief written message listing the carbine by serial number. Hart's acting career began in 1937 with an uncredited role in "Daughter of Shanghai", followed by a plethora of rolls in all genres of film and TV, many of them Westerns. Two of his larger rolls were as Nat "Hawkeye" Cutler in "Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans" and as the Lone Ranger for a short time in the 1950s. Hart's final acting roll in 1982 was an appearance on the show "Happy Days", where he portrayed the Lone Ranger, who was Fonzie's childhood hero. The carbine itself was manufactured in 1925 with standard markings including a Winchester factory oval proof on the receiver. It is fitted a pinned Sheard beaded blade front sight and a Marble's adjustable notch rear sight, which is likely covering the factory oval proof on the barrel, and a saddle ring and staple are mounted on the left of the receiver. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a carbine buttplate. Included with the lot is a fringed leather Winchester carbine scabbard which has been signed by John Hart and an additional, lightly tooled leather scabbard.

Rating Definition:

Fine, retains 40% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth brown-grey patina, primarily on the receiver and buttplate, and a few scattered very light patches of pitting. The wood is also very good with some scattered minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. The scabbards are both very fine showing some areas of mild wear. An iconic piece of documented Hollywood Western memorabilia owned by John Hart, The Lone Ranger!



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