serial #50061, 40-60 WCF, 28'' barrel with a very good bore showing bright areas and strong rifling, with light frosting and a few spots of light pitting its full-length. A very attractive and well-used deluxe rifle, this was clearly ordered by a person of means who took it afield often. The barrel and magazine tube are primarily a smooth brown patina with some vestiges of original blue here and there and wear to pewter on the sharp edges and contact points. There are scattered remnants of light oxidation about the surfaces and a few areas of light pitting on the magazine tube, with the band showing light pitting, the nosecap is a pleasing smooth smoky gray-blue case-hardened patina. The frame retains rather nice smoky gray case hardening over all with some trace colors in some of the protected areas, some plum brown spots of the base metal flaking through. The loading gate is a pleasing smoky blue-gray and there are vestiges of color on the hammer, the lever more of a plum brown and dark gray. The deluxe grade checkered walnut pistolgrip stock shows some strong trace original varnish, with the expected overall light dings and handling marks that come from a field-used arm, but with the edges still crisp, the ebony pistolgrip insert is intact and the wood proud of the metal. The tang is numbered ''2455 XX'' and the upper tang inlet in the buttstock is marked ''P 2455'' (the inside toe of the buttplate is numbered alike). The forend is similar to the buttstock, showing the same lovely grain figure as the buttstock, but with more wear in the carry area at its rear, the checkering worn more smooth and with a few more light handling marks. The original a silver blade front sight is intact, it shows a couple minor impact marks, the ladder style sporting rear is present as well and correctly marked ''1876''. The gun seems to function well mechanically, the cartridge guide on the bottom of the bolt is present, as is the extractor. A couple of the screw slots show some light damage but most are crisp and unmolested. While clearly used afield often, the gun was well-cared-for. (3B9745-1) {ANTIQUE} (5000/7000)
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