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Nearly Every Feature of this Incredible Musket is Special Order; Certainly One-of-a-Kind
by Master Engraver John Ulrich and finished
with gold over nickel. The engraving consists
of flourishes of scrollwork on the muzzle
and breech sections of the barrel, on the
sides of the barrel bands, the loading lever,
dust cover, hammer, and buttplate tang, a
detailed scene of a bull elk on the right side
plate, a bear on a rocky outcrop with two
birds flying above it on the left flat, and panels of scroll engraving on
the balance of the action along with border designs. John Ulrich signature
“J. ULRICH” in italic print is on the lower tang under the lever. John Ulrich
(1850-1924) originally worked for Colt but spent the bulk of his career as an engraver for Winchester. This Model 1873 musket is pictured and described in the book “Winchester’s New Model of 1873, Vol. I &II” by
Gordon. The elk scene is similar
to 1873 sn. 37862 shown on
page 159 and 1876 sn. 45520
on page 161 of “Winchester
Engraving” by R.L. Wilson. The
latter is especially significant
because that rifle was owned
by Theodore Roosevelt. A bear
scene based on the same design
is shown on Model 1886 sn. 150084 shown on page 166 and Model 1894s sn. 222901 and 308993 on page 172 of Wilson’s book. The barrel has a military style “barleycorn” front
sight that also serves as a bayonet lug for a socket bayonet, the two-line address and patent marking on top ahead of the musket pattern notch and folding ladder rear sight (graduated out to 900 yards), and “44/CAL” marked between the rear sight and receiver
ring. The upper barrel band has a lug for mounting a saber bayonet. The upper tang has “MODEL. 1873.” with foliate accents. The bottom of the cartridge elevator is marked “44 CAL.,” and the lower tang has the serial number and “A” between the lever latch and rear screw. The musket length forend and stock have panels of the checkering. The buttstock is a particularly high grade piece of walnut with beautiful figure. The left side of the lower tang has“294 XXX C.”The upper tang mortise has a“P”and“294.”“294”is repeated faintly inside the buttplate at the toe. The bayonet is also gilded and has an 18 1/2 inch blade marked with “crown/WG” on the left side and “Ga” and a double headed reichsadler on the right, polished scales, and a blued metal scabbard marked “P 79874.”
CONDITION: Fine with crisp factory engraving and markings throughout, 30% bright factory gilt finish remaining and especially retained in the protected areas such as the lower tang and around the side plates, mostly bright nickel plating and some patches of gray patina on the balance, and mild age related wear throughout. The wood is also fine and
has mostly crisp checkering with spots of wear, beautiful figure on the buttstock, smooth re-oiled finish, and general light dings and scratches. The modified European bayonet is good with considerable applied silver and gold remaining. The scabbard retains the vast majority of the finish. Mechanically excellent. This is an incredibly rare and significant
work of art by Master Engraver John Ulrich that was proudly displayed by the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. for nearly twenty years!
Estimate: 50,000 - 75,000
19
Both are noted as sent to the New York Expo in 1897 and to Buffalo, and they have matching received in warehouse dates for March 4,
1897, May 9, 1898, and December 29, 1898.
In addition to the exciting exhibition history, the embellishment really sets it apart, especially given it is a musket, a variation rarely embellished at all let alone engraved
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOKS WINCHESTER'S NEW MODEL OF 1873, VOL. I & II BY GORDON