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Custom Engraved Gold Inlaid One of One Thousand Marked Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Custom Engraved Gold Inlaid One of One Thousand Marked Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with
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Manufactured in 1884, this Winchester Model 1873 rifle was subsequently custom embellished in the 20th Century with a blue barrel and magazine tube, gold receiver, forend cap and buttplate, and casehardened hammer and lever. The receiver is nicely engraved with floral scroll and punch dot engraving and with animal scenes. The left front of the receiver has a mountain lion in a mountain scene, the left side plate has a buck in a wooded scene, a squirrel eating a nut on the right front and a bears head and dogs head on the left side plate. There is a thin gold inlaid band around the breech and muzzle ends of the barrel as well as a wedge of floral scroll and punch dot engraving on each end. The top of the dust cover and buttplate tang have the same engraving pattern. The top barrel flat ahead of the rear sight is marked with the two line address/King's patent dates and "One of One Thousand" is marked in script behind the rear sight. The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1873" with the serial number on the lower tang and "44 CAL" on the brass cartridge elevator. Blade front and buckhorn rear sights and mounted with a deluxe, nicely figured checkered walnut forearm and straight grip stock with crescent buttplate.
BBL: 24 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 44 WCF
Finish: blue/gold
Grips:
Serial Number: 145819A
Condition: Professionally embellished with 98% of the high polish custom blue finish present on the barrel and magazine tube with some thinning on the magazine tube. The receiver, forend cap and buttplate retain 95% gold finish with some thinning on the high edges. The hammer and lever retain at least 90% of the case colors. The wood is near mint with a few scattered minor dings and pressure dents, and sharp checkering. The markings and engraving remain crisp and clear. The action is excellent.