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Engraved Like 1 of 1000 Winchester 1873 Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:35,000.00 USD Estimated At:40,000.00 - 60,000.00 USD
Engraved Like 1 of 1000 Winchester 1873 Rifle
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA
Engraved Like 1 of 1000 Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle, #73524, .44-40 cal., 26'' octagon barrel, case-hardened frame, blue barrel and mag tube, set trigger, factory checkered pistol-grip walnut stock with fleur de'lis shaped horn inlay to pistol-grip cap, side of lower tang is marked with XX, bottom of lifter inscribed ''Robert Matthey''. Barrel is engraved like a 1 of 1000 with two platinum bands, yet lacking the 1 of 1000 marked panel. Shipped from the warehouse with nine other Model 1873s (some with 24'' & 26'' barrels) on work order #26575, on Sept. 13, 1881, with factory letter. According to Winchester historian Tom Hall, there were only 16 similar pieces listed as shipped, and at the time of the letter, only five were known. R.L. Wilson indicates in his book on 1 of 1000's that 133 Model 1873 1 of 1000's were produced, and the number of 1 of 100's listed at just eight. Considering this, these engraved Like 1 of 1000's are extremely rare and desirab!
le. Early high base graduated peep sight is used at tang; with unusual ivory edge coined type front sight. Condition is excellent retaining approx. 85-90% original factory blue on barrel and mag tube. Frame shows approx. 40-60% thinning and silvering case-hardened hues. Stock with light flattening to checks, a little more at forend, with minor scuffs and scratches from field use. Set trigger needs adjustment. Action remains crisp, upper edges to bronze lifter are sharp, bore is bright with very well-defined lands and grooves. A once in a lifetime opportunity to own one of the scarcest Winchester 73 variations. (Walt Hallstein collection) Est.: $40,000-$60,000.