EXTREMELY RARE AND FINE “1 OF 1000” DELUXE WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.
inv # 01-17684

Cal. 44-40.
Bbl.28”.
S# 31270.

The Winchester “1 of 1000” is among the most iconic of American arms. Oliver Winchester marketed these superior rifles by saying that of every 100 barrels manufactured, proved and tested for accuracy, the best 1 of 100 would be put aside. Once 10 superior barrels were gleaned, they would be tested for accuracy and the best of these would be marked “one of one thousand” and the other 9 barrels “one of one hundred” (though few 1 of 100s were marked). This long gleaning process produced guns of highest accuracy and were priced at $80-100 when standard model was $30. This gun was made famous among gun collectors when Universal Studios was filming “Winchester 73” starring Jimmy Stewart. This rifle was the 4th of the “1 of 1000s” reported during the nationwide search by the movie company in 1950 (23 1 of 1000s were located during this search). Deluxe 2nd Model rifle has 28″ octagonal barrel engraved in script “One of One Thousand” at breech on top flat, matching en suite engraving on lower flats and at muzzle, platinum band at muzzle. Other features include full magazine with screwed in plug, gold washed Beach’s combination front sight, semi-buckhorn rear sight, and 4” tang sight. Frame is case colored and mounted on beautiful 2X flame grain walnut with checkering, crescent buttplate with trap retaining an original 4-pc steel & brass cleaning rod. Rifle is all original and matching. Matching assembly number “897” found internally on receiver tang and buttstock along with “XX” for grade of wood. Frame is 2nd model with attached dust cover rail and “thumbprint” dust cover, single set trigger.

UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES:
large file of information & research including correspondence concerning discovery of this gun in 1950, original copies of May & October 1950 American Riflemen Magazines concerning this 1/1,000. Correspondence lists all owners & serial numbers of the 23 found 1 of 1000s. Original copy of 1992 Butterfield Catalog w/ this rifle on cover.

PROVENANCE:
Sold by Winchester November 20, 1878 to John Skinker, San Francisco;
Unknown old rifleman named “Widum” (died at the age of 82 in 1950);
William Brewer;
Scott Merry Collection, Tacoma, WA;
4th rifle reported in the “Winchester 73” Universal Movie Studio search, 1950;
Listed in “One of 1,000, Model 1873, Winchesters First High-Accuracy Rifle” by Steve Hannagan, 1950;
Robert Wyatt Collection;
Pictured on cover of Butterfield & Butterfield catalog of Wyatt collection March 23, 1992;
Paul Tudor Jones II Collection, 1992;
Pictured and described in Edmund Lewis text “The Story of the Winchester 1 of 1000 rifles..” (p 73);
Vince Sepulveda collection, 2016;
1877 ad from John Skinker offering beautifully finished Case Hardened and checkered stock model 1873 “One of One Thousand”.

Status: ANTIQUE