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ENSEMBLE OF HISTORIC WINCHESTER FIRST MODEL 1873 RIFLE AND COLT 1878 DA REVOLVER

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,500.00 USD
ENSEMBLE OF HISTORIC WINCHESTER FIRST MODEL 1873 RIFLE AND COLT 1878 DA REVOLVER
ENSEMBLE OF HISTORIC WINCHESTER FIRST MODEL 1873 RIFLE AND COLT 1878 DA REVOLVER. Cal. 44 WCF 44-40) & 45 Boxer. Standard grade rifle with 24” oct bbl, full magazine, uncheckered wood with straight stock and a crescent steel buttplate with trap. It has the early-impressed thumbprint mortised dust cover. The front sight is missing the blade and the rear sight is a ladder sight from a model 1876 rifle. The rifle is accompanied by a brain-tanned Indian-style rifle case about 45” long, made of 2-pcs, sinew sewn with 3” fringe down the long seam and around the middle seam. The revolver is an early 1878 model with 5-1/2” bbl, nickel finish and checkered wood grips with a lanyard loop in the butt. Bbl has the Hartford address with “DEPOT 14 PALL MALL LONDON”. It is missing the loading gate and is accompanied by a very old, worn and modified single loop holster that appears to have been made from a Calvary holster. This lot is accompanied by a Winchester factory letter identifying the rifle indicating shipment on August 23, 1875. It is further accompanied by a packet of information relating to Moses A. Welch who served in the Civil War as a Corporal until July 1865 when he was mustered out. The next reference is a packet of letters dating from 1866 through 1873 from Welch to his brother and parents describing life at the Blackfoot Indian Agency in Montana territory during that time. Additionally, there is an undated typed letter from George C. Welch to the Coos & Curry County Pioneer & History Association Coquille, Oregon, apparently transferring photos of Indian chiefs and a Winchester 1873 rifle allegedly obtained by his father’s bother Moses A. Welch while he was an employee at the Blackfoot Indian Reservation in Montana territory after it had been surrendered by an Indian warrior that “helped kill General Custer and his men”. Moses Welch died in 1913. The letter also requests that the museum “show the gun and leather sheath only in a locked cabinet”. Also accompanies is a photograph of Moses Welch along with military discharge and pension papers. SN 4751. CONDITION: The rifle, good. Bbl retains 50-60% blue mixed with brown strong in sheltered areas with a spot of rust pitting about mid point on the top. The magazine tube retains about 90-% original blue with scattered light surface rust. The receiver retains 15-20% original blue with the balance a light patina. The dust cover is missing its screw. Wood is sound with no original finish remaining having numerous small nicks and scratches, a couple of dings on the wrist and a large scratch down the right side of the butt. Strong bore with fine pitting. The revolver is fair, retaining 70% strong bright nickel, very worn grips, mechanics need attention. The holster has been completely re-stitched by hand and shows heavy wear and is exactly form fitted to the revolver. The rifle case is worn and sweat stained with some tattering at the open end with a couple of holes. A fine western ensemble with probable association with the Custer Massacre. 4-49067 JR45