^Lot 3042 RARE WINCHESTER 1873 OPEN TOP SECOND MODEL

LEVER ACTION RIFLE. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). S# 27441. Bbl. 24" octagon. The scarce Model 1873 without dust covers are known to collectors as "Open Tops". The Model 1873s that were made for the Spanish government trials were called "Addis Experimental Models". Additionally experiments in 1878-1879 were conducted to determine if the omission of the dust cover would be an improvement on the '73 to mitigate possible damage from burst primers or cartridge heads. Some open tops utilize receivers left over from the mfg. of the Spanish models, while others were ordered without dust covers. John Skinker of San Francisco, sole Winchester agent on the West Coast, sold most of the open top '73s that remained in America. German silver blade Rocky Mountain front sight with sporting rear sight. Top tang is drilled for a tang sight attachment. Second Model action with set trigger. Full length mag. Walnut forearm and straight grip stock with crescent steel trapdoor buttplate. The open top Model 1873s are found in the S# range 27,200-27,999. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: 2 Cody Firearms Museum records dated 2014, stating "Type: Rifle/ Barrel Type: Octagon/ Trigger: Set/ Received in warehouse on December 31, 1877/ Shipped from warehouse on May 01, 1878, Order number 11690". CONDITION: metal has faded gray appearance with evidence of touch up finish showing scattered pitting and dents on the receiver. Sanded and refinished wood shows heavy wear with numerous scratches, dents, and marks. Sound action with functioning set trigger. Dark pitted bore with largely intact rifling. (01-27062/DS). ANTIQUE. $5,000-7,500.