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Rare Documented Winchester Model 1873 Digital 1 of 1,000 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:45,000.00 USD Estimated At:90,000.00 - 160,000.00 USD
Rare Documented Winchester Model 1873 Digital 1 of 1,000 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter
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Rare Documented Winchester Model 1873 Digital 1 of 1,000 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter

This is a rare original example Winchester Model 1873 rifle with Cody Firearms Museum letter that describes the rifle as "1 of 1000" with octagon barrel, set trigger, "XXX checkered stock", "Peep-Breech and S leaf sights", a "S magazine" (writer believes "S" stands for "short). The letter further states that this rifle was shipped from the Winchester warehouse on June 16, 1875. This early production First Model 1873 rifle is listed as the eighth 1 of 1000 rifle manufactured in the Winchester ledgers published in WINCHESTER NEW MODEL of 1873, Vol. 2 by James Gordon. This rifle is the earliest listed Second Style 1 of 1000 rifle. It has "1 of 1000" engraved on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver. Gordon identified six other surviving Second Style 1 of 1000 rifles in his book. This rifle has a 26-inch full octagon barrel with half magazine. The barrel has a dovetail mounted sporting style front sight with iron blade and screw in the right side of the base, rear sight dove-tail with blank 18 1/2 inches form the muzzle and a second dove tail fitted with a Henry style folding leaf rear sight 21 1/2-inches from the muzzle. The folding leaf rear sight has a 900 yard center notch and screw-stop for the elevator bar. The first style receiver has raised dust cover rails and a dust cover with oval, impressed, 'thumb-print'. The upper tang is drilled and tapped for a tang sight. The rifle has a factory single set-trigger. The stock and forearm are highly figured fancy grain walnut with checkered panels and high polish piano finish. The stock has an iron crescent buttplate with sliding brass trap door. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29.1866.OCT.16.1860" ahead of the rear sight dovetail. "1 of 1000" is engraved in small letters between the second rear sight dove-tail and the receiver. "MODEL of 1873" is roll-stamped in fancy letters on the upper receiver tang. The serial number "4103" is stamped in script numerals on the lower tang between the lever latch and the rear tang screw. Winchester manufactured a total of 136 1 of 1000 Model 1873 rifles. James Gordon identified 57 surviving 1 of 1000 rifles (excluding this rifle) when his book was published in 1997. The ultra-rare Winchester Model 1973 1 of 1000 rifles are one the best known and most highly sought after American firearms. They are certainly the most desirable of all Winchester rifles.

Manufucture: Winchester
Model: 1873
BBL: 24 Inch octagon
Stock: walnut checkered
Guage: 44-40 WCF
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 4103

Good. The rifle is an original, example of a Winchester Model 1873 1 of 1000 rifle that shows many years of use but no abuse. The barrel and receiver have a dark patina with silver-gray on contact points. The barrel and receiver have scattered patches of light pitting and surface discoloration. Traces of the original blue finish are visible on the receiver at the edge of the side plates. The forearm cap and buttplate have a dark patina with scattered light pitting. The sides of the hammer and lever retain some of the original case colors. The tang and buttplate screws are battered but the receiver screws are good. The "1 of 1000" marking and barrel legend are sharp. The model designation on the upper tang is crisp. The serial number on the lower tang is fully legible. The very good stock and forearm show moderate wear and have an attractive dark aged patina. The checkered panels on the stock and forearm are worn from handling. The original piano finish is worn but intact. The stock and forearm have numerous minor handling marks and there is a small chip in the toe of the buttplate. This is a great example of an ultra-rare Winchester Model 1873 1 of 1000 rifle. This documented 1 of 1000 rifle would be the center-piece in the most advanced collection of Winchester rifles of American sporting arms.