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LOT 1016
Extraordinarily Rare Factory Exhibition Engraved, John Ulrich Signed Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Musket with Sword Bayonet and Factory Letter - Serial no. 173879A, 44-40 WCF cal., 30 inch round bbl., gold/nickel finish, walnut stock. The factory letter lists this extraordinary Model 1873 as a musket with nickel and gilt finish, a fancy grade checkered stock, engraving, and
exhibitions in the 1890s.
Exceptionally Rare Documented Factory Exhibition Panel Game Scene Engraved, Signed by Master John Ulrich, Gilt Finished Winchester Model 1873 Musket
angular and saber bayonet when received in the warehouse on February 20, 1885. The first shipping date is not listed until February 25, 1891, in order number 1141, and it was received again on June 16, 1891. These first dates are followed by numerous entries for shipping and receiving dates extending until December 21, 1904. A large series of entries is typical for Winchester’s well-traveled factory exhibition pieces that were displayed at various World’s Fairs, other international exhibitions, American exhibitions, and sometimes at important dealers. Only a limited number of notations were made indicating a few of the musket’s destinations. “NY Ex 97,”“NY Ex 98,”“Buffalo,” and “returned by W.S. Brown.” The New York entries are for the American Institute Fair held annually in New York City, and the Buffalo notation almost certainly corresponds with the March 26 and November 27, 1901, receipt dates listed as those would be just before and just following the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. William Smith Brown was the president of W.S. Brown Sporting Goods Store and Gun Manufacturing Enterprise in Pittsburg, a major Winchester dealer that remained active after his death in 1928. Earlier in his life, he went looking for gold in the West and was in a fight with Native Americans alongside Buffalo Bill Cody. Brown was likely loaned the musket for a display at his store. Several of the destinations are not recorded in the records, but the dates provide strong evidence of where it went. The December 7, 1893, may be for the return of the gun from the World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago from May to October 1893. The May 9 and December 29, 1898, dates closely align with the Trans-Mississippi Exposition held in Omaha from June to November 1898. The March 14, 1904, shipment and return on December 20, 1904, align with the Louisiana Purchase Exposition held in St. Louis from April to December 1904. This incredibly rare Model 1873 Musket was clearly a key display piece for the company and was likely seen by millions of potential customers between 1885 and 1904. As such, it is an important piece of Winchester Repeating Arms Co.’s colorful history. It was likely on display alongside the Deluxe Winchester Model 1886 from lot [BATD2-83] at multiple historic
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