3008

"DODGE CITY RIFLE SHOOT" MARKED WINCHESTER

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:9,000.00 USD Estimated At:18,000.00 - 27,000.00 USD
 DODGE CITY RIFLE SHOOT  MARKED WINCHESTER
1873 EARLY FIRST MODEL DELUXE LEVER ACTION RIFLE. Cal. 44 WCF. S# 27134. This rare, possibly historic, Winchester has features that closely match the famous "One of One Thousand" Winchester 1873 rifles. The 1950 Jimmy Stewart movie "Winchester 73", told the story of the One of One Thousand rifle that was first prize at the "Centennial Rifle Shoot" in Dodge City, Kansas, July 4, 1876. The left side of stock of this rifle has a 2 1/2" x 3/4" rectangular silver plate marked "First Prize / Dodge City Rifle Shoot / July 4, 1879". This rifle has a combination of features that are rarely found on early Winchester rifles. Features include: 28" oct. bbl. (4" longer than standard), case colored action, single set trigger, stock and forearm of XX fancy walnut w/ checkering, combination front sight and vernier tang sight along with flat top sporting rear sight. Rifle also features full length mag., mortised thumb print dust cover and crescent steel trapdoor buttplate. Inside left of lower tang has wood grade marking "XX" followed by assembly number "326". Matching assembly number "326" is found in top tang channel of stock. The right side plate, inside just above the loading gate is marked w/ assembly # 134. The Madis book states the 1 of 1000 was no longer listed in the 1877 catalog though exception were made and several 1 of 1000's remained on hand .S# 27141 is a known 1 of 1000. Records show, this rifle S# 27134, was shipped 9-3-1877. This date may account for the lack of the 1of 1000 designation. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Cody Firearms Museum records search listing the following information: "Date in: 9-1-1877 / Rifle / Bbl. shape: Oct. / Length: 28 / Trigger: Set / Stock: Checkered stock / Other Features: CH / Date Shipped: 9-3-1877 / Order # 9689". Also includes 3 piece cleaning rod held in buttstock compartment. CONDITION: barrel and mag. tube retain 70% dull lightly faded blue showing edge wear and small spots of corrosion. Left bbl. flat ahead of forearm cap and adjacent to rear sight show small dents. Receiver retains a dark appearance showing traces of fading case colors. Sideplate, dust cover and lever have lighter appearance showing 40% fading case colors. Left sideplate shows area of deep wear along upper edge that appears to be the result of repeated contact with a hard object. Stock and forearm retain original finish showing age related wear with scattered scratches and handling marks. Butt section of stock shows small grain checks and spots of wear. Bore is bright w/ sound strong rifling showing small spots of very light pitting. (01-17678/DS). ANTIQUE. $18,000-27,000.