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When I first saw this auction, I thought “pretty nice low wall,” then I saw the caliber stamping. Lucky my feet were well grounded.
I believe that it is correct… and most likely a “one-of-a-kind”. That rifle matches the factory warehouse ledger entry to a “T”.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
with so much sarcasm these days on this site with some of these auctions, i can’t tell if you two are joking or not????
Manuel said
with so much sarcasm these days on this site with some of these auctions, i can’t tell if you two are joking or not????
I am not joking about it, and I do not believe that Old-Win was either.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I was enthralled when I saw it. Very intriguing. I will confess I was filled with desire for it. It would be an amazing addition to a collection. Or, simply a collection all on its own 
Well ended, surprising there were no takers.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
Kevin Jones said
Well ended, surprising there were no takers.
It IS surprising, considering the incredible rarity of the chambering, not to mention all the other deluxe features, & of course its beautiful cond. All things considered, the price did not seem excessive to me! (Though if I had $5000 to spend, a “new” 2nd hand truck is where I’d spend it.) Have to wonder if the buyer had some special pull with the company to get this gun built at all.
Clarence – I’m with you. I am very surprised there were no takers. I would think at a large auction house it would have easily sold for big dollars. At least it would have three months ago.
I suspect that a lot of potential buyers were very suspicious of the 38-56 cartridge chambering being factory original in a low-wall. The other strange issue is that it has a First variation low-wall frame, but is well beyond the known serial number range for it. The First variation receiver frames were discontinued in the 17,000 – 18,000 range, and that rifle is in the 35,000 range.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
No, I certainly wasn’t joking at all. After seeing so much talk about low walls chambered in 32-40 and 38-55 that were supposedly produced but never verified, it surprised me to see one in this chambering because it’s very unusual and a lever gun cartridge. I am amazed as well that it didn’t sell because it is one-of-a-kind now that Bert has it verified from the ledger. The only thing that looks out of place is the front sight. It stands a little tall for a Winchester. It may be from a Stevens.
Old-Win said
The only thing that looks out of place is the front sight. It stands a little tall for a Winchester. It may be from a Stevens.
Does seem rather “high,” even for a wind-gauge; but the Stevens dovetail was wider than W’s. If I had $5000 to blow, this would be the least of my concerns.
The rifle in question has a No. 2 barrel vice a No. 3 (standard for that caliber). The sight is correct, and it letters on that rifle.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
I suspect that a lot of potential buyers were very suspicious of the 38-56 cartridge chambering being factory original in a low-wall.
So do they think the letter has been faked? And if they do, how much trouble is it to call Cody for verification? The LAST thing any faker would do is assemble a gun around such an odd-ball cartridge. But it’s true, there’s no underestimating stupidity.
Bet what happened is this: somebody called seller & agreed to buy it for 5 Gs (at least!), or probably offered more, if he would end the auction early.
clarence said
So do they think the letter has been faked? And if they do, how much trouble is it to call Cody for verification? The LAST thing any faker would do is assemble a gun around such an odd-ball cartridge. But it’s true, there’s no underestimating stupidity.
Bet what happened is this: somebody called seller & agreed to buy it for 5 Gs (at least!), or probably offered more, if he would end the auction early.
I was thinking the same thing.
Just an observation and not saying it means anything, but not a very comprehensive auction listing. Photos only depict one side of the rifle and no Inspection/ Return Policy listed.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
clarence said
So do they think the letter has been faked? And if they do, how much trouble is it to call Cody for verification? The LAST thing any faker would do is assemble a gun around such an odd-ball cartridge. But it’s true, there’s no underestimating stupidity.
Bet what happened is this: somebody called seller & agreed to buy it for 5 Gs (at least!), or probably offered more, if he would end the auction early.
I do not believe that the letter has been faked. From what I can see, the rifle letters perfectly, and is correct. Somebody special ordered it, and Winchester obliged them.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
We’ve had another topic going recently discussing how important a factory letter is. I can think of no better example than this rifle. Were the factory ledger blank on this one, it would be a whole different deal. As it is, it seems many collectors are skittish about this piece. The only red flag I can see is the fact that I really like the rifle. I tend to be drawn to the odd and unusual – stuff that mainstream collectors don’t flock to.
Bert H. said
Somebody special ordered it, and Winchester obliged them.
Even though (and this is the most interesting thing about this gun!) that “somebody” had some peculiar ideas, that cartridge in that receiver, & the #2 brl. (Though he had one great idea–the SG BP!) But actually, the choice of receiver was probably made by the factory, not the customer, because W. catalogs of that period don’t illustrate the LW action, & even the later catalogs which do, don’t identify it by name or part no.
Bert H. said
I do not believe that the letter has been faked. From what I can see, the rifle letters perfectly, and is correct. Somebody special ordered it, and Winchester obliged them.
Bert
I agree with Bert. Looks like a real nice gun to me. I wonder what his selling price is? The only thing that has me puzzled is why, with this caliber, the gun wasn’t a highwall and a #3 barrel? Winchester obviously thought it was safe or they would not have built it. $5,000 is not a bad price for such a rare high condition gun.
Chuck said
$5,000 is not a bad price for such a rare high condition gun.
Contact the seller & say you’ll pay that or more. Bet you’ll find it’s already on its way to the sharp guy who snapped it up. I sincerely HOPE that guy wasn’t some __ like Mertz or Goergen; if so, the next time you see it the price will probably be 10Gs.
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