360

Lovely Winchester Model 1886 SRC ID'd to Col. A.T. Babbitt, Wyoming Stock Growers Association

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:7,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Lovely Winchester Model 1886 SRC ID'd to Col. A.T. Babbitt, Wyoming Stock Growers Association
CURRENT BID
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
ENTER YOUR MAXIMUM ABSENTEE BID[?]
You must bid at least
7,000.00USD
USD
7,000.00 x 1 unit = 7,000.00USDApplicable fees & taxes are added at checkout.
[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2024 Nov 23 @ 09:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
serial #14117, 45-70, 22'' barrel with a partially bright about very good bore showing some scattered light pitting and old oxidation with otherwise strong rifling. This 1888-made carbine is in a very desirable configuration with its fullstock forend and 45-70 chambering. The right side of the buttstock has a silver plaque affixed and is neatly engraved ''Col. A. T. Babbitt / W.S.G.A.'' and the carbine has seen a wonderful quality restoration. The barrel retains about 97% of an excellent quality bright blue showing some mild loss from thin striations toning to gray-brown and a few other light handling marks. The factory markings remain crisp and the underside of the barrel beneath the forend also bears proper factory stamps. The action retains about 98% excellent restored case-hardened colors that are a bit dark but otherwise very attractive showing a few light handling marks and strong protective lacquer. The nosecap and carbine buttplate also show fine vibrant case-hardened colors while the barrel band, trigger and bolt retain about 98% bright blue, and the loading gate shows nice fire blue. There is one additional drilled and tapped hole at the upper tang right beside the factory hole. The smooth walnut buttstock and forend remain in excellent condition as neatly cleaned showing a restored oil finish and just some sparsely scattered tiny dings and light handling marks. The silver plaque shows a nice medium tarnish and is secured with two small nails, it is purportedly a reproduction of the original plaque. The end grain of the stock beneath the buttplate was stamped by a previous owner ''DON NICHOLS / CHEYENNE / WYOMING'' and the left side lower tang shows an assembly number ''6S''. The upper tang stock inlet and inside toe of the buttplate appear to be stamped ''68''. The carbine is sighted with Winchester's express rear sight and plain blade front. The included factory letter indicates the arm shipped as a 45-70 carbine with standard sights and trigger on April 24, 1888. The gun also includes a note signed by Mr. Don Nichols describing the history of the gun as being acquired by him from the estate of T. Joe Cahill through Tom Searl, a real estate agent working with the State of Wyoming to acquire Cahill's property for state use. T. Joe was an early Wyoming lawman and prominent promoter of the Cheyenne Frontier Days. Mr. Nichols goes on to elaborate that the carbine was displayed at a gun show in Cheyenne in 1967 and it was at this gun show that the original silver plaque went missing but was later reproduced based on photos of the original. Around the time of this carbine's manufacture, Col. Babbitt was an army physician and president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association. An excellent and desirable carbine for the Winchester or frontier collector, with interesting provenance. (13F11523-32) {ANTIQUE} [Jim Thrash Collection] (10,000/15,000)