4018

WINCHESTER 1873 SMOOTH BORE 3RD MODEL LEVER ACTION

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
WINCHESTER 1873 SMOOTH BORE 3RD MODEL LEVER ACTION
RIFLE. Cal. 32 WCF (32-20). S# 295916B. Bbl. 24" octagon with factory smooth bore. Original sporting sights. Full length mag. Original walnut forend. Pistol grip walnut stock with contrasting wood grip cap utilizing the original crescent steel buttplate is a recent replacement. Original straight grip lever and tang, tang is altered from standard factory configuration to accept a non-standard style pistol grip stock. Smoothbore 32 caliber Model 73's are extremely rare with consignor stating only 2 were found in factory research. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Cody Firearms Museum letter stating the following: "Rifle / 32 Smoothbore / Octagon barrel / Plain trigger / Received in the warehouse on May 14, 1889 / Shipped from the warehouse on May 15, 1889". Letter with consignor research stating the following: During Annie Oakley's 1887 trip to the UK for a pigeon shoot Charles Lancaster observed that her gun fit her poorly, and after taking measurements, built her a shotgun fit specifically to her. After using the shotgun, Annie specified that all her rifles and shotguns be built to the same dimensions. S# 295916 was shipped from the factory on May 15, 1889 to an unknown location. Annie was performing with the Wild West Show at the Paris Expo (May 5, 1889-October 31st, 1889). It is widely known that trick shooters such as Annie Oakley used smooth bore rifles at their trick shooting events. Included is a copy of a photo of Annie Oakley holding a Winchester 1873 with an altered stock. CONDITION: blue is fading to an even brown patina showing scattered very light pitting. Refinished forend shows handling marks with repaired chip at front of left side. Replacement stock shows a few marks. Functioning action. Lightly pitted smooth bore. (01-21682). ANTIQUE. $5,000-7,000.