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HISTORIC WINCHESTER 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:4,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
HISTORIC WINCHESTER 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.
Cal. 44 WCF. S# 491. Bbl. 24" rnd. w/ brass blade replacement front sight & elevator adj. sporting rear sight. Full length mag. 1st Model action w/ mortised dust cover having raised thumb print. Walnut forearm & straight grip stock w/ crescent steel buttplate. Wendell Grangaard of South Dakota has unlocked the key to "togia", the pictographic language of the Cheyenne & Sioux Plains Indians. In his book "Documenting the Weapons used at the Little Big Horn", Mariah Press, 2015, Mr. Grengaard opens a window on Western History by translating the togia markings on historic Indian used weapons. The togia markings on this rifle, as translated by Mr. Grengaard, indicate the rifle was used by Bull Head, a Southern Cheyenne, at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: folder of provenance titled "BATTLE of the LITTLE BIG HORN / A HISTORIC NATIONAL TREASURE" includes letters by Wendell Grangaard of Guns of History Inc. Photographs overlaid w/ diagrams of the togia markings show their meanings as translated by Mr. Grengaard. Cody Firearms Museum records search showing the following information: "Model: 73 SN: 491 / Date In: 2-26-1874 / Rifle / Bbl. shape: Round. / Length: 24 / Target: 4 / Date Shipped 2-27-1874 / Order #: 1039". CONDITION: metal has gray brown appearance from touch up finish over some very light pitting. Stock & forearm have age darkened appearance showing numerous marks including the lightly visible & difficult to discern togia marks as identified & translated by Mr. Grangaard. Forearm has long crack extending from left side of tip. Bottom of carrier shows numerous dents & scratches including those interpreted as togia marks by Mr. Grangaard. Bore has worn, lightly pitted appearance over intact rifling. (01-16345/DS). ANTIQUE. $8,000-12,000.