Lot 3021

Previous image preload Next image preload

Rare and Historic Royal Presentation Special Order Winchester First Model 1873 Saddle Ring Lever Action Carbine with Casehardened Receiver and Factory Letter Winchester Model 1873 carbine manufactured in 1875 and presented by Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, during his 1875 visit to India. This carbine is accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter that describes it as: "Carbine, XX wood, Casehardened". The letter states that the carbine was shipped from Winchester on July 31, 1875, along with 29 others on work order number 3701. This order included Model 1873 serial numbers 6618, 6604, and 6597 which are currently displayed at the Prince of Wales former residence, Sandringham House. This carbine was part of a group of fifteen rifles and fifteen carbines shipped from Winchester to James Kerr and London Armory, Winchester's London Agent, as presentation pieces for the visit of Edward, Prince of Wales, to India in October 1875. These rifles and carbines had deluxe, XX fancy grade walnut and were inlaid with a silver plate engraved with the medal insignia of the Prince of Wales surrounded by the chain and medal of the Order of the Star of India. Six of these Winchesters (including one carbine) were apparently returned to England in 1876 following the tour and remain at Sandringham House. The surviving carbine at Sandringham, serial number 6618, is identical to this carbine. In addition to the inlaid medal on the left side of the stock, the barrel of this carbine is engraved; "FROM H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES K.G. G.C.S.I. INDIA 1875+1876" in one line on the top between the upper and lower bands. "LONDON ARMOURY/Jas KERR & CO. 54 KING WILLIAM ST. LONDON" is engraved in two lines on the left side of the barrel between the lower barrel band and the receiver. London proof and inspection marks are stamped on the right side of the barrel and receiver. Rack numbers are stamped on the carbine as follows, "16" is stamped on the right side of the forearm, lower right side of the receiver and on the heel of the buttplate. "6" is stamped on the left side of the stock ahead of the inlaid medal. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860" ahead of the rear sight. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped "MODEL. 1873." in "fancy letters". The serial number "6616" is engraved in script numerals on the lower tang behind the lever latch. This First Model carbine has the distinctive receiver with grooved dust cover guides and dust cover with checkered, oval "finger print". The barrel has the first style band with integral front sight blade and folding leaf sight with sight apertures marked "1, 3", and "5". A staple mounted saddle ring is located on the left side of the receiver. The carbine style buttplate has a sliding brass trapdoor and the butt trap contains a three-piece, jointed, steel cleaning rod with brass tip. The barrel, magazine, barrel bands, receiver, dust cover and loading gate are blued. The receiver, hammer, trigger, lever and buttplate are color casehardened. Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, subsequently King Edward VII,(1841-1910) was a popular prince and monarch. As Prince of Wales, he traveled extensively. His 1875-1876 visit to India was considered a great success. Edward was a notable sportsman who was extremely fond of hunting The thirty Winchester Model 1873 rifles and carbines purchased for presentation during his visit to India were almost certainly selected because they represented the most modern repeating firearms available. This presentation carbine may be the only surviving example of the rifles and carbines presented by Edward Prince of Wales other than the six guns on display in Sandringham House. This is a rare and historic Winchester Model 1873 carbine. Manufacturer: Winchester Model: 1873 BBL: 20 Inch Stock: walnut Gauge: 44 WCF Finish: blue/casehardened Grips: Serial Number: 6616 Class: Antique Condition: Very good plus. This carbine is all original and retains 25% of the original blued casehardened finish. The barrel, magazine and barrel bands have a plum-blue patina and retain significant amounts of original blue finish. Most of the wear is concentrated on the top of the barrel between the bands. Both the barrel and magazine have scattered light scratches with several spots of light pitting. The engraved presentation and Kerr markings and Winchester legend are sharp. The receiver has mostly an attractive silvered-out case hardened finish overall. Most of the case colors are present on the right side-plate. The casehardened finish on the trigger and sides of the lever have silvered but the hammer retains strong case colors. The buttplate has moderate handling wear with a dark patina. The stock and forearm are both in very good overall condition with moderate handling wear. The walnut has aged to a smooth, dark patina which shows little of the XX fancy grade burl. The silver inlay in the left of the stock remains in fine condition with sharp engraved details. This is a rare and historic royal presentation First Model 1873 saddle ring carbine.

    Condition:
  • See Description

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We will arrange for packing and shipping at our earliest possible convenience. We will attempt to ship as soon as possible, however, due to the huge volume of absentee bidders, delays in shipping of seven days after full payment is received by us is typical. In the case of crating or any exceptional packaging, the buyer will be charged our cost from outside agents. Buyer pays all shipping and insurance charges.

by Rock Island Auction Company
December 4, 2016 9:00 AM CST
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, IL, US 61201

Rock Island Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 20.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000