Page 20 - Auction84-Book2

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Excellent Benchmark Quality Winchester 1873 Lever Action
LOT 1017
Sporting Rifle
Outstanding, Benchmark Example of the Iconic Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 711399B, 38 WCF cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This high condition Winchester Model 1873 Rifle is a third model with the receiver featuring an integral dust cover guide rail and dust cover with rear finger grip serrations. Dovetail blade front sight and elevation adjustable rear sight on
a barrel stamped with the two-line address/patent dates legend ahead of the rear sight and “38 WCF” at the breech. A Winchester factory oval proof is stamped on the barrel and receiver at the breech. The upper tang has the three-line model/trade mark information. The cartridge elevator is marked “38 CAL.” The rifle has the correct “step” at the barrel and receiver junction as found on rifles chambered for .22, .32 and .38 caliber cartridges.
The plain forearm and straight grip stock are nicely figured walnut. The buttstock is fitted with a trapdoor casehardened buttplate containing a four piece cleaning rod. Per the accompanying factory letter, “Only information available was a scrap of paper containing the following information: ‘711399--New System--May
8, 1958--DR.’” The included scan of the “scrap of paper” has the handwritten notation “other guns with close SN [711399] circa 1916-1917.” Per the WACA, this rifle was manufactured in 1916.