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Interesting Winchester Model 1894 Carbine Belonging To Victoria Mix, Wife Of Cowboy Actor Tom Mix

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Interesting Winchester Model 1894 Carbine Belonging To Victoria Mix, Wife Of Cowboy Actor Tom Mix
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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2024 Nov 23 @ 09:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
serial #1271838, 30 WCF, 20'' barrel with a bright excellent bore. This is a very interesting little carbine and was actually the personal property of Mrs. Victoria Mix, wife of cowboy Tom Mix from 1918-1931. An actress in her own right, Victoria Mix, maiden name Forde, was a star in vaudeville and in silent movies, signing with Selig Studios. She became a star in westerns, frequently performing opposite Tom Mix, the two thrilling audiences in several films beginning in 1914. Both Mix and Forde were said to be skilled riders who performed their own stunts. In 1917 Forde and Mix signed with the Fox Film Corporation continuing to perform together. Victoria became his fourth wife in 1918 and the couple were well-loved by movie-goers across the country, making more than thirty short Westerns together. When their daughter Thomasina was born, Victoria would retire from the acting world to stay home and take care of their baby girl, after having appeared in some 176 short films. The barrel and magazine tube retain about 98% plus original blue, the only true loss being some very sparsely scattered extremely light handling marks here or there while the bands also retain generous original blue flaking lightly to plum-brown patina. The action appears to have been refinished in a factory-quality polished blue retaining about 97% showing a few thin scratches on the left receiver flat and one or two on the lever. A few of the numbers in the serial number show some very subtle polish marks, very slightly washed out along some of the edges upon close scrutiny, but the factory proof marks and tang markings remain crisp. The smooth walnut buttstock rates very fine to excellent with only sparsely scattered light handling marks here or there, the grooved steel buttplate now toned to pewter and plum. The long wood forend rates about excellent as well showing only a couple light dings or handling marks. The arm retains its original bead front sight and protective hood and the original semi buckhorn Winchester sight is present. Thomasina Mix would marry Mr. Bernard Matthews, and in January 1945 would give birth to a son, who is the consignor of this storied Winchester. The birth of Thomasina to Tom and Victoria mix is well-documented and of course a matter of public record and in federal censuses. Thomasina's marriage to Mr. Matthews is also a matter of public record and a copy of the consignor's birth certificate showing Bernard and Thomasina as father and mother is included as well, proving beyond a doubt lineage from Mr. Matthews to Victoria Mix. Additionally a signed and notarized letter from Mr. Dan Matthews, son of Thomasina, grandson of Victoria, certifies the foregoing lineage and chain of custody, including the fact that after their divorce his grandmother Victoria stayed on the West Coast and as a result of invasion worries during the Second World War, she purchased this Winchester Model 1894 Carbine for the defense of her Laguna Beach home which overlooked Smugglers Cove, should an invasion occur; it is mentioned by serial number in the letter. When Victoria passed in 1994, her daughter Thomasina gave the gun to her son Dan. As-mentioned, the letter is signed, dated and notarized. Mr. Mix and Mrs. Mix (Forde) were two very famous Western actors of the silent era and loved by tens of thousands. She obviously had spunk and pluck to purchase a Winchester 1894 Carbine to defend her home and country should a hostile invasion occur. A wonderful keepsake for the Western collector or moving pictures aficionado. (13,3D11052-1) {C&R} (2500/4000)