Lot 3011

Factory Engraved Gilt Antique Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Rifle

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Factory Engraved Gilt Antique Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Rifle

Estimate: $35,000 - $55,000

Starting Bid: $30,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 23, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Highly Attractive Ulrich Factory Panel Scene Engraved Gilt Finish Antique Special Order Winchester Deluxe Second Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle in .44-40 W.C.F. with Factory Letter Manufactured in 1882, this is a highly attractive example of a an Ulrich factory panel scene engraved, straight grip deluxe Winchester Model 1873 rifle with a seldom encountered special order gilt finish. The included factory letter lists this magnificent rifle with an octagon barrel, plain trigger, $7.50 engraving, gilt receiver, buttplate, and tip, and a checkered stock when received at the warehouse on 16 June 1882 and shipped the next day to order no. 33111. The $7.50 engraving was extensive and represented a princely sum at the time. The Model 1873 serial number 31580 "Like One of One Thousand" that was recently sold in our May 2026 Premier Firearms Auction was only listed with $5.00 engraving. Factory engraving and extra finishes such as gold are relatively rare on any Winchesters and were often reserved for factory exhibition pieces displayed at the various large trade fairs around the turn of the century. In "Winchester's New Model of 1873: A Tribute Vol. II", James Gordon notes that out of the 3,800 Winchester Model 1873s he surveyed, only 188 were engraved, accounting for just under 5% of those surveyed, with even fewer of those having received a gold plated or gilt finish like this example. Winchester historian and author George Madis approximated that one in every 600 Model 1873s had special wood and one in every 700 had checkered wood. When it comes to deluxe Model 1873s, they are significantly more rare with a straight grip than a pistol grip. Madis also approximates that only one of every 600 Model '73s received a full or partial plated finish, and this gilt finish is significantly more rare than plating. This particular rifle certainly would have fit right in with the extraordinary arms Winchester placed on display at those exhibitions, exhibiting the incredible work of their gifted artisans to the world. The engraving on this particular rifle was almost certainly executed by Winchester factory Master Engraver John Ulrich, though the work appears to be unsigned. According to Wilson in "Winchester Engraving", John Ulrich accounts for the majority of signed engraving work for Winchester between 1869 and 1920, indicating that he would have also been responsible for a large portion of the unsigned work like this example. The left sideplate features a circular panel scene of a bugling elk, while the right has a circular scene of a grizzly bear. Both of these scenes are surrounded by decorative borders and masterfully executed floral scroll engraving on beaded backgrounds, showing many hallmarks of John Ulrich's scroll, and encompassing most of the surfaces of the receiver. There are lighter flourishes of scrollwork on top of the dust cover, the forearm cap, and on the tang of the buttplate. The rifle itself has the Second Model receiver featuring a dust cover guide retained with two screws and a dust cover with grip serrations at the rear. The forearm cap, receiver, dust cover, and buttplate all feature the scarce gold gilt finish noted in the factory letter. The rifle correctly lacks caliber markings as the only caliber initially offered for the model was the legendary .44-40 W.C.F., an icon of the American frontier. The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and King's patent marking. The model marking is on the upper tang and the serial number is on the lower tang. The left side of the lower tang is marked "XX 4230", with "4230" repeated inside the buttplate. The stock inlet is numbered "93947", which appears to be stamped over a previous number, indicating possible period replacement or factory refurbishment. It is fitted with a gold-washed Beach combination front sight, elevation adjustable No. 22 notch rear sight, and a long range peep sight mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a very nicely figured forearm and straight grip stock, both with factory deluxe H-pattern checkering, and a trapdoor crescent buttplate containing an included four-piece metal cleaning rod.

Manufacturer: Winchester

Model: 1873

BBL: 24 inch octagon

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 44-40 WCF

Finish: blue/gilt

Serial Number93941

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Leon Budginas Collection; The Bobby Smith Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection
  • Condition: Fine overall as period refurbished, quite possibly by the Winchester factory, retaining 70% plus of the blue finish, 60% plus of the delicate gilt finish, 50% of the case colors on the hammer and lever, and 30% of the nitre blue on the loading gate with the balance mostly a grey patina, a few scattered patches of very light pitting, and the engraving remaining very crisp. The wood is also fine (see above) with a few areas of the buttplate standing slightly proud, some scattered light dings and scratches, and well-defined checkering. Mechanically functions. This is a highly attractive Ulrich factory engraved deluxe example of the Winchester Model 1873 rifle with a rare gilt finish!

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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 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000