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RARE 1873 Winchester Short Rifle 14" Octagon Barrel .44-40 Factory Letter & BATF Cleared C&R 1911
Guns International #: 100569604 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Winchester Rifles - Model 1873 - Winchester Rifles - Antique Lever
Seller's Information
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Seller: Jeremiah Johnson Trading
Company: Jeremiah Johnson Trading
Member Since: 1/27/12
First Name: Greg
Last Name: Schimetschek
State: Connecticut
Zip: 06423
Country: United States
Phone: (860) 873-1092
Number of Active Listings: 4
Total Number of Listings: 217
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
3 days
Payment Types Accepted: Check (personal checks take 7-10 days to clear), money order, credit card (no fee), or wire
About Us: Jeremiah Johnson Trading is one of the most experienced and trusted dealers of pre-1899 antique arms with over 40 years of collecting. We specialize in Colt, Winchester, Remington, Smith & Wesson, Parker, large-bore fowling guns, Revolutionary & Civil War arms, collectible Bowie & folding knives and more! We are also avid collectors of historic race cars & memorabilia. Visit us online at jeremiahjohnsontrading or find us on Facebook and Instagram.
Description:
*Selling from my private collection* RAREST OF THE RARE! M1873 Winchester Third Model Short Rifle with 14" Octagon Barrel, BATF Cleared with Factory Letter, .44-40 WCF, mfg. 1911. Being offered here for the first time in nearly 60 years, one of the true rarities of Winchester collecting. We generally associate M1873 Winchester barrel lengths of less than 20" being a special order carbine feature ("Trapper" carbines) however lengths as short as 14" could be ordered for a rifle as well. The BATF clearance records from their start in 1972 to the latest available source in 2010 only list two other 14" M1873 rifles. These, along with two more that I am also currently selling, bring the total up to just five known, BATF cleared M1873 14" rifles. Of the five, this example is THE ONLY currently known 14" barreled .44-40 rifle that is both cleared by the BATF and will letter with the Cody Firearms Museum. The rifle features a 14" octagon barrel with standard rifle front & rear sights. The metal shows a heavily worn, dark plum/brown patina overall. This rifle, along with the majority of short rifles and carbines manufactured during this period were shipped to South America and saw very hard use on a daily basis. The frame is stepped at the breech which was not standard for .44-40 caliber Winchesters unless they were ordered with special short barrels, such as this gun. The wood shows a dark, untouched patina with no signs or repairs or cleaning. There are a handful of faint age checks on either side of the buttstock following the grain of the wood, and the forestock has some very old, small chips along the rear edge. The forestock measures just 7 3/8" long, the shortest length offered by Winchester and reserved only for the shortest length rifles and carbines. The dustcover is missing, however it was most likely intentionally removed during the period which was not uncommon. Original hammer, trigger, lever lock down, forend cap, barrel band, and correct "trapdoor" buttplate (cleaning rod is not present). The left forend cap screw is a later replacement. The barrel address is located on the same flat as the caliber marking, evenly spaced between the front and rear sight dovetails. The address is worn yet still legible. The caliber markings, upper tang markings, and serial number are clear. The action is worn but does function. The rear of the firing pin/bolt is worn slightly, causing the hammer to just barely not lock into full cock when the gun is cocked by way of activating the lever. The hammer has light spring tension but holds half & full cock fine when manually cocked. The bore is very dark with only the most faint traces of rifling visible and scattered surface pitting throughout. Accompanying the gun is a copy of the BATF records listing this gun as a cleared Curio & Relic, and a factory letter confirming the gun as a .44 caliber rifle with 14" octagon barrel. The gun was sold to an agency in New York who presumably exported the gun out of the country where it found use (as rumored) with the Peruvian National Police. If you're looking for truly one of the rarest and most unusual Winchester rifles ever made, this is it. Only five of these 14" rifles are currently known to exist and I own three including this one. The other two are available as well, and I can certainly arrange a package deal for the three together if desired. These guns simply can not be found and are a highlight in any advanced Winchester collection. FFL or C&R required on post-1898 firearms. No sales of modern firearms or antique firearms that can fire modern ammunition to the state of California or California residents. No sales of modern firearms or antique firearms that can fire modern ammunition to any of the five counties of New York City or their residents. Any handgun, including antiques, that are shipped to the state of New Jersey must be shipped to an FFL holder. Payment can be made by way of money order, banker's check, or personal check (Please allow 7-10 days for clearance on personal checks). We accept credit cards for modest purchases only. Non-firing items may be purchased through PayPal. If not satisfied with an item within 3 days of receiving it, simply return the item in the same condition as shipped for a full refund, minus shipping costs. Layaway may be allowed upon negotiation, but will void inspection privileges. Buyer pays actual shipping costs, including packaging fees, shipping services (USPS or UPS), and insurance. FFL is required on all firearms manufactured after 1898 (mfg. 1899-present). C&R is acceptable for any firearm manufactured over 50 years ago from the current date. Jeremiah Johnson Trading sells antiques only. Any firearms occasionally sold from our private collection that do require an FFL or C&R are shipped through a licensed FFL dealer. All firearms are sold as collector's items and are not warranted safe for shooting. Please consult a competent gunsmith prior to shooting any firearm. International orders are allowed for antique firearms that fire obsolete ammunition only, no modern firearms or antique firearms that can fire modern ammunition will be shipped outside of the United States. Message or call with any questions about this firearm, or any of our other items at 860-873-1092.
SOLD
Curio/Relic: Yes
Manufacturer: Winchester
Model: 1873
Caliber Info: .44-40
Barrels: 14
Barrel Type: Octagon
Manufacture Date: 1911