^Lot 4049 ANTIQUE 3RD MODEL WINCHESTER 1873 LEVER ACTION

RIFLE. Cal. 44-40. S# 279008. Mfg 1888. The octagon bbl on this example was shortened to 18". It has a dovetailed sporting front sight and sporting elevator adj rear sight. It has the early 2-line bbl address "WINCHESTERS-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT / KINGS-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED- MARCH 29, 1866/ OCTOBER 16, 1860." & "44 CAL" cal marking. It has a serrated edge dust cover with integral guide rail and 2nd style "MODEL. 1873" tang marking with foliate accents. The rifle forearm and straight grip butt with trap door smooth steel crescent buttplate. CONDITION: overall fair. Metal is void of finish with a mottled brown patina. Buttplate is a replacement with a great deal more blue and some pitting. Wood has been sanded with some scattered handling marks. Forearm has a large chips with loss of wood along bbl channel and tight cracks at both ends. Butt has a relief carved oak leaf and a few minor edge chips and handling marks. Dark bore with pitting. (01-29806/ZAL). ANTIQUE. $1,000-1,500.