^Lot 4032 ANTIQUE 1ST MODEL WINCHESTER 1873 LEVER ACTION

RIFLE FEATURED IN JAMES D. GORDON'S "WINCHESTER NEW MODEL OF 1873". Cal. 44-40. S# 17934. Mfg. 1876. The same year as the Battle of Little Big Horn that is commemorated with a campfire style knife carving in the stock of this rifle claiming... "THIS GUN WAS IN / CUSTER LAST FIGT (sic) / ??? 1876" on the right side & "AND CARRIED BY CM KEECHIS AS SCOUT AND GUARD IN / MONTANA 1879". The rifle is pictured with SN on pages 164 & 165 of Gordon's book in the section regarding carvings and decorations. It is fitted with a 24" round bbl with dovetailed brass blade front sporting sight and elevator adj rear sight. The bbl is marked with the 2-line bbl address "WINCHESTERS REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT / KINGS-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16.1860.". Rec is late 1st model type with mortised oval checkered dust-cover. Straight grip walnut stock set with smooth trapdoor crescent steel buttplate. CONDITION: Overall fair-good. The metal surfaces are void of finish with a smooth mottled brown patina. Rear sight is a period correct replacement. Forearm is hand worn with fading added varnish moderate handling marks, small edge chips and a small crack near the forearm cap. The butt is also hand worn with a large old chip at the upper buttplate tang, some smaller edge chips and small tight cracks extending from the tangs. Bore is frosted with pitting and wear to the rifling. (01-28813/ZAL). ANTIQUE. $3,000-5,000.