 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Winchester Model 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine in 44-40 with King of Siam Marking
Guns International #: 101833610 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Winchester Rifles - Antique Lever - Winchester Rifles - Model 1873
Seller's Information
When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com
Seller: Brent Wilburn
Company: Antique Arms, Inc.
Member Since: 11/19/15
First Name: Brent
Last Name: Wilburn
State: Georgia
Zip: 30052
Country: United States
Phone: (678) 471-1432
Phone2: (678) 471-1432
Premium Seller
Number of Active Listings: 45
Total Number of Listings: 584
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Money Order, Certified Check
Description:
On Hold, Sale Pending. Winchester Model 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine in 44-40 with the seldom seen Siamese Chakra symbol stamp on top of the receiver. This would have been ordered by the King of Siam and issued to their military in what is modern day Thailand. The King was a pretty savvy guy, was educated in Europe, and fully understood the downside to colonization. That said, he never put all of his eggs in one basket when it came to arming his military. When a country offered to help him build a railroad for trade, he fully knew that some day that railroad would be used to transport troops...so he played along while he built his own. In the end, Siam was the only country left in Southeast Asia that did not become a European Colony. This old Winchester is part of that story and its also part of the real story behind Winchester. We think of Winchester 1873's as solely the Gun that Won the West but in reality, Winchesters were shipped all over the world. Serial number is in the 43x,xxx serial range and was built in the latter part of 1892. Note that the original rear ladder sight still has "1873" at the top...which diseappared the following year as the Model 1892 production got under way and used the same sight. This carbine was rebuilt sometime in the 20th century as the metal has most of an old arsenal reblue, the saddle ring removed, swivels intalled, and was given new wood...some type of tropcial hardwood that is almost "orange". The metal under the blue has a light texture like it was probably once a heavy patina but the edges and markings are all very good. Being a military gun, it was not used to the degree most civilian weapons were as the action is smooth and still pretty "snappy" when the lever comes back up. The bore is still bright with nice lands and grooves...very Fine...almost Excellent.
In almost 40 years old collecting, I've only seen 4 or 5 of these "King of Siam" Model 1873's along with 2 Spencer Model 1865 carbines. This is the second one I've owned with these markings. There is some rather interesting history behind them and I've heard a story some years ago that some of these may have been brought home by American servicemen stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War. The first King of Siam gun most Winchester I learned about is the Winchester 1873 Musket, serial number 495,499 pictured on page 177 of the Winchester Book by George Madis. Madis' caption under the photograph states:
"This standard musket, number 495,499 was returned from Thailand. Markings on the stock have been interpreted as denoting ownership by the King of Thailand (Siam), including arsenal markings and "American" the country of origin of the Musket. T.E. Addis traveled extensively around the world to sell Winchesters and ammunition, and was very successful in this."
Madis did a good job of taking time to photograph the Siamese markings on the bottom of the stock but he makes no mention of the turning wheel symbol known as a Chakra that accompanies these markings. This marking usually found on the top for frame at the barrel junction and you'll find it not just on 1873 Winchester carbines and muskets, but also 1865 Spencers, and Type 66 Mauser Rifles denoting use by the Siamese military. Typically, the ones I've seen were in pretty rough condition with the metal lightly oxidized and the wood in poor shape from having spent years in the hot, humid tropical climate. The one exception to that was a 1873 carbine in the low 500,000 range that I first saw back in 1996 when a local dealer brought it back to Georgia from the Denver show. It had at least 60% of the original blue and wood that was quite nice. I couldn't afford it at the time but it ended up in the collection of Hank Williams Jr., then spent a few years in Don Grove's collection, and later was owned and sold by Rob Kassab...at which time I was finally able to purchase it. I kept it awhile and then sold it to another collector.
Having been rebuilt by an arsenal, this little carbine is obviously a far cry from the last one I owned but so is the price. It would make a great addition to a military collection, a Winchester collector operating on a budget who enjoys finding rare variations, and it would also be an ideal candidate for a restoration project aside from the light texture to the metal (which can easily be removed), the edges are still sharp and the markings are all in decent shape. Mechanically, it's in nice shape and it has a really nice bore for an 1873 carbine. The wood is fairly accurate to the original but could still be used in a restoration with a little sculpting. The original wood was probably in poor shape so they replaced it and unfortunately, that's where some of the original Siamese markings were placed...on the belly just below the lower tang. It still has the Siamese Chakra on the top of the frame and two Siamese letters on the right side of the frame. See photos. The only thing its missing is the saddle ring and staple...which was removed and ground smooth in the rebuild process. Antique, Pre-1898. No FFL required under Federal Law but Local and State Laws may vary. Sorry, no international sales. $50.00 shipping. On Hold, Sale Pending.
SOLD
Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .44-40 Winchester
Manufacturer: Winchester
Model: 1873
Manufacture Date: 1892