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SCARCE WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 SMALL BORE LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:8,750.00 USD Estimated At:17,500.00 - 27,500.00 USD
SCARCE WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 SMALL BORE LEVER ACTION RIFLE.
SN 370031. Cal. 22 Short. Standard grade rifle with 24-1/4" oct bbl, full magazine, combination front sight, semi-buckhorn rear sight and thick base tang sight with 4" staff. Mounted with very nicely figured, uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with straight stock & crescent buttplate without trap. Inside magazine tube is original. According to Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms there were only 19,552 Model 1873 rifles chambered in both 22 Short & 22 Long, in two bbl lengths produced in the period 1884-1904. These rifles are rarely found today with orig magazine tube or with high orig finish. Apparently they were regarded as a boy's or lady's rifle and accorded less respect than large bore rifles used by men. Additionally it is extremely rare to find one with a bright bore. Accompanied by Cody Firearms Museum letter listing the gun with an oct bbl rifle in .22 caliber w/ plain trigger, shipped on Jan. 1, 1891 CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine. Bbl & magazine tube retain 96-98% strong orig blue turning a little plummy on magazine tube; receiver retains about 93-95% bright orig blue, a little thin on the bottom front edge and sides of the front; hammer retains strong case colors as does the lever which has faded on outer faces; buttplate has faded to silver patina. Wood is sound with light storage & handling marks with buttstock retaining most of its bright orig finish and the forearm about 60-65% orig finish with balance a hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine, strong bright bore. 4-46856