^Lot 100 Winchester Model 1873 'Deluxe' .32-20 #224122

'Special Order' With 28" octagon barrel, single set trigger, full mag, checkered deluxe pistol grip stock, Lyman front and rear sights, not case hardened, sling and swivels, received in the warehouse Dec 30, 1886, shipped on Jan 3, 1887 to order #13776. Confirmed by factory letter included except rifle butt not listed as was standard. A letter dated Mar 11, 2026 by James A. Malcolm documents this Winchester from the possession of James Madison Myers born August 1849 and died Oct 6, 1924. He was a farmer, engineer and coal miner. Family history recounts that James ordered a one of a kind rifle as his Christmas present to himself. The stock cracks were caused by his wife and her sister who dropped it while hunting. The family were Pennsylvania Dutch (German). The letter further states the rifle has never been out of the Myer's family and was incredibly accurate. The letter also states that Jim Gordon's book on the Model 1875 records on 19 out of 3850 rifles surveyed were 28" in 32-20 cal and 28" of every caliber only account for 4.3 percent of the production. The rifle remains in very good plus condition with metal surfaces retaining 80-90% plus original blue still fairly bright and thinning and toning naturally. The edges are sharp and crisp and all markings clear including 32 cal on brass lifter. The hammer and lever show 50-70% case colors going to patina but still visible. The buttplate shows mottled case colors in silvery gray patina. The action is crisp and bore bright and mechanism is "tight". The stocks are good to very good overall other than a hairline crack at the rear screw extending from right side to left (wore on right). About 50% original varnish on butt stock and forend shows traces and staining from oil or handling. This rifle deserves an excellent restorer who could save the butt stock varnish and repair the break and re-checker the area of damage. A rare opportunity on a "fresh find" that was not out of original owner's family in over 130 years!