EXTREMELY RARE & ALL ORIGINAL JOHN ULRICH SIGNED & $4.00 ENGRAVED WINCHESTER 1873 3RD MODEL LEVER ACTION SHORT RIFLE WITH FACTORY LETTER

EXTREMELY RARE & ALL ORIGINAL JOHN ULRICH SIGNED & $4.00 ENGRAVED WINCHESTER 1873 3RD MODEL LEVER ACTION SHORT RIFLE WITH FACTORY LETTER

01-28041 | Cal 44-40. | S#379475B.

Carbine length 20″ octagonal barrel. This deluxe Winchester 1873 3rd model left the factory with a multitude of special order features. Fancy checkered stock (straight grip as opposed to the more common pistol grip), set trigger, sling swivels and $4.00 engraving. As a whole, Factory engraved model 1873 rifles are exceptionally rare. “The Winchester Book” by George Madis lists, on page 209 in the “Silver Anniversary Edition 1 of 1000” that it is estimated only “one of each 700 guns were engraved or inscribed”. In addition to the engraving, this example is signed on lower tang “J. Ulrich”, adding to it’s already noteworthy rarity. Wilson states on the same page “One of each 450 rifles had special shorter barrel”. While the letter fails to mention the barrel length, included image of original ledger, shows that a small batch of 1873s in this S# range left the factory with the exact same features, including barrel length. Additionally, forearm measures 8 3/8″ (1″ shorter than standard) which is a feature found only on factory short rifles. Dovetail for mag. hanger measures 3 3/4″ from muzzle at center which is correct for all rifles with full length mag. tubes which shows bbl. was never shortened. Checkered, highly figured walnut straight grip stock & forearm appear to be 2X walnut however stock was not removed as all screw heads are in pristine condition and appears to have never been removed since it left the factory in 1891. Front swivel is installed in bottom of forend cap. Rear swivel base is inletted in belly of stock with sling itself measuring 4″ from toe. Crescent steel trapdoor buttplate. Sides of action feature John Ulrich’s floral scroll engraving amidst a punch dot background with scalloped borders. Left panel features game scene vignette of stand off between red deer stag and deerhound in a finely shaded woodland setting. Additional scroll embellishments are found on forend cap, bottom of carrier block, top of dust cover and top of buttplate. Receiver engraving terminates with beaded borders at front and rear. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: original 4 piece Winchester cleaning rod in butt. Rod in very good condition and locks together tightly with no wiggle or looseness. Buffalo Bill Historical Center research letter dated “October 22, 1976” stating the following “The Winchester Records for Model 1873 lists Serial Number 379475B as a rifle, 44 caliber, with an octagonal barrel, set trigger, fancy checkered stock, sling and swivel, leaf sights, Engraved $4.00. It was shipped from the warehouse on April 29, 1891. The “B” in the serial number indicates a minor changed in the mechanism”. STATUS: ANTIQUE.