 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
RARE WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 FACTORY CUTAWAY
Guns International #: 101264056 Seller's Inventory #: W744
Category: Winchester Rifles - Model 1873 - Winchester Rifles - Antique Lever
Seller's Information
When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com
Seller: LeRoy Merz Antique Guns
Company: Merz Antique Guns
Member Since: 10/27/09
First Name: LeRoy
Last Name: Merz
State: Minnesota
Zip: 56538-0494
Country: United States
Phone: (218) 739-3255
Fax: (218) 739-4599
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 961
Total Number of Listings: 52416
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
3 days
Payment Types Accepted: Money orders, cashier or personal checks
Description:
Winchester's factory ledgers list these rare factory cutaway rifles as "skeleton" models. "The Winchester New Model of 1873: A Tribute" lists only eight known examples, and no more than a dozen are believed to have been made. This example, others known, has no serial number and is only marked with the assembly number 4207 on the left side of the lower tang. These cannot be confirmed by factory ledgers, but this example is very similar to the two confirmed examples that appear on the ledgers and are believed to have been used at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. Like a few of the other "skeleton" rifles, it is fully nickel plated. None of the known examples are exactly the same. On this example, the cartridge elevator and buttplate door are steel instead of brass. The design allows you to see the inside of the action, the chamber, magazine tube, and even the stock cavity. Though obviously unsafe to fire, the action remains fully functional. It has the standard address, patent, and model markings; German silver blade front sight; and an adjustable sporting rear sight. It has the Third Model style integral guide rail and dust cover with serrated rear indicating it was manufactured around or after 1882. Cutaway rifles were used by Winchester to promote their arms and educate potential buyers. They were used at exhibitions and would have also been used by company salesmen. This example may have been used at one of the World's Fair such as New Orleans in 1884 or Chicago in 1893.
Most all of the original nickel plating remains. There is some brown patina on in a few areas where the finish is flaked. The stock and forearm are both fine with a few pressure dents. The oiled finish looks good. The action functions fine and is crisp, and the markings are sharp. With only a dozen or so of these incredibly rare cutaways of the ever popular Winchester Model 1873 this would be a great collectable for the advanced collector or the center piece of a '73 collection.
Leroy Merz Antique Firearms specializes in antique and vintage Winchesters and other fine American firearms. Since 1965 Mr. Merz has taken part in the world of firearms and has been a contributor to many well known reference books. Just recently we mailed the 129th edition of our privately-published catalog. We have hundreds of additional guns in every price range at our home online. Search for Merz Antiques in google.
SOLD
Antique: Yes