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LOT 3050
Winchester Model 1873
Lever Action Rifle with Desirable
Casehardened Receiver and Factory
Letter - Serial no. 344299B, 32 WCF cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The accompanying factory letter states this
rifle was received in the warehouse on
October 27, 1890 and shipped the same
day with a 25 inch octagon barrel in .32 caliber (likely a factory recording error as the octagon barrel is correctly 26 inches), plain trigger and casehardened receiver. The desirable special order casehardened third model receiver features an integral dust cover
guide and a dust cover with rear finger serrations. The receiver also has the “step” at the junction with the barrel found on rifles chambered for .22, .32 and .38 caliber cartridges. The rifle is fitted with a combination
Beach front sight, an elevation adjustable rear sight and a folding tang peep sight. The top barrel flat is
stamped with the two-line address/patent dates legend ahead of the rear sight and “32 WCF” at the breech. The cartridge
elevator is marked “32 CAL.” The upper tang has the model designation, and the lower tang has the serial number. The special order buttstock is extra figured walnut and is fitted with a solid crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and magazine tube retain 40% original blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. 60% original blue remains on the dust cover. 30% original nitre blue remains on the loading gate. 60% original case colors vivid in and round
the protected areas remain on the receiver. The hammer, lever and forend cap retain 40% original case colors. Slight patterns of original case colors remain on the buttplate. The wood is also fine with minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. An attractive example of the gun that won the West with desirable extra features.
Provenance: The John Fox Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3051
Montana Armory Retailer Marked Winchester Model 1892 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine with Factory Letter - Serial no. 294488, 38 WCF cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1905. The accompanying factory letter confirms this Model 1892 as a carbine in .38 caliber. It was received in the warehouse on April 18, 1905 and shipped on April 29. Pinned beaded blade front sight, folding ladder rear sight, tang peep sight, saddle ring, and carbine stock and buttplate. The left side of the buttstock is stamped “MONTANA ARMORY/BOZEMAN MONT.” Located on Main Street in Bozeman, Montana, retailer Montana Armory was owned by August Gottschalck circa 1884 to 1914. CONDITION: Very good as a well cared for carbine that certainly saw use on the open ranges of Montana, retaining 30% original blue finish with the balance a smooth gray patina with spots of artificial brown touch up finish. The reoiled wood is very good with minor dings and scratches and legible retailer marking. Mechanically excellent. A great piece of Montana Armory history, this Model 1892 saddle ring carbine would look great in an American frontier collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
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