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Attractive Engraved Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle and an Ivory Tusk Handled Magnifying Gl

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:6,500.00 USD Estimated At:13,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
Attractive Engraved Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle and an Ivory Tusk Handled Magnifying Gl
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Active from 1882 to 1903, Phantly Roy Bean Junior was a saloon keeper operating in the tent city dubbed "Vinegaroon" when he was appointed as Justice of the Peace of the newly formed Precinct 6 of Pecos County at the request of a Texas Ranger active in the area. Dubbing himself The Law West of the Pecos, Bean held court in his saloon, and earned a reputation as a colorful Old West personality, both as a questionable figure who leveraged his position to his advantage and enforced a drink minimum on juries, and as a benefactor of the local children and respected enforcer of law in an otherwise lawless area. Manufactured in 1885. Dovetail front and sporting notch rear sight, with the caliber markings on the top flat and the two line Winchester address and patent markings ahead of the rear sight. The Third Model frame is extensively engraved, with punched crescent backed scrollwork overall, a dog's head on the left side, a leaping deer on the right, "L.D.N." in a scroll on the underside, and "Judge Roy Bean" in a scroll on the side plate. Additional scrollwork is present on the forearm cap, with a tooled, riveted leather cover secured to the buttstock. Also included with the lot is a magnifying glass, 3 1/2 inches wide, set into a silver frame and mounted to a 9 3/4 inch long ivory tusk handle, which bears an inscription shield reading "To/Judge/Roy Bean/Law/West of the Pecos/1899". The engraving in our opinion is of the period. The tooled skirt on the buttstock is incredible. We have no supporting documentation to authenticate this grouping, but on the other hand, have no way to disprove it either!
BBL: 23 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 38 WCF
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 180466A
Condition: Good, showing a deep brown patina overall, scattered handling marks and spotting. A few scratches and dents are visible on the frame, and the front sight blade absent. Fair wood, with a cracked forearm, period repaired wrist, scattered dents and scratches. Leather cover is good, with some scuffing. Mechanically good. A small chip is present in the otherwise fine optics, with a deep aged patina and mild age cracks in the tusk. Mechanically good.