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SCARCE WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 SMALL BORE LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
SCARCE WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 SMALL BORE LEVER ACTION RIFLE.
SN 296949. Cal 22 Short. Standard grade rifle with 24-1/4" rnd bbl, full magazine, Lyman ivory bead hunting front sight & semi-buckhorn rear sight. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with straight stock & crescent buttplate without trap. Bottom of the carrier is marked "22CAL/Short". Inside magazine tube is original. This model was the first repeating 22 rifle manufactured in the U.S. According to Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms, there were about 19,522 of these rifles manufactured in the period 1884-1904. Although these rifles are full sized they were considered to be "boys" rifles and were treated accordingly, usually showing hard use with little maintenance. Small bore firearms of that era were very difficult to clean and consequently bores of these rifles are usually not good. CONDITION: Very good. No orig finish remains with bbl & magazine tube showing an artificially aged patina with dressed out wrench marks on the bbl over the chamber area. Receiver retains a mottled silvery brown patina with a few small nicks & dings. One timing screw is a replacement & another is battered. Some of the receiver screws are also replacements. Wood is sound with a repair in the forearm and with a few minor nicks & scratches and retains a restored finish. Mechanics are fine. Worn, dark bore. 4-48622 JR118