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Winchester Model 1873 -Atlanta Police Marked- |
This is a nice example of a factory inscribed Model 1873 rifle that was shipped to the Atlanta Police Department in 1890. This is a basic Model 1873 rifle in 44-40 with octagon barrel, full magazine, and crescent buttplate with two special order features. One is the left sideplate which is engraved "Atlanta Police" with the rack number "120" underneath. The other feature is the factory installed sling swivels. Serial number is in the 331,000 range. We contacted the BBHC in Cody, Wyoming which verified this rifle's configuration from the original Winchester factory ledgers, and it shipped on February 24, 1890 as a .44 caliber rifle with sling swivels, a sling (which is now long gone) as well as the "Atlanta Police" engraving on the left side plate. A formal Factory Letter has been ordered and will accompany the rifle. There are several positive things about these Atlanta Police Winchesters. One is even though they're scarce, there are enough of them out there to show up on the radar screen...meaning most experienced Winchester collectors have seen or heard of one and they're accepted as a known and desirable variation. Here is a link to another Atlanta-marked 1873 from the same shipment that we sold a few years ago: From a collector's perspective who's looking for one, there will be years where not one comes up for sale...and others where as many as five or six may pop up. The other important thing to know about these rifles is that they are the ONLY Winchester 1873's that were factory engraved/marked for a Police Department. Yes, there are other 1873's marked by their own police departments after they shipped but not from the factory itself...nor can they be authenticated by BBHC. Over the years, we've seen a number of these Atlanta Police marked Winchesters. There were two orders for these totaling 125 rifles. These were probably some of the only .44 caliber 1873's shipped south following the Civil War as the vast majority found in this region are in either .32 WCF or .38 WCF. Having lived in or near Atlanta for almost twenty years, I've also seen several Colt revolvers with this same Atlanta Police designation across the backstraps of Model 1878's, 1877 Lightnings, and even a Colt Old Line Cop and Thug Revolver on display at the Atlanta History Center. From those observed, it would appear that the department's Winchesters (most likely kept for riot control) have survived in better condition than Colt Revolvers which the officers used as their everyday carry weapons. Overall condition grades easily to NRA Antique Fine condition. Receiver has 40% original blue with fading, with the balance a pleasing gray patina that is beginning to turn to a light brown patina. Barrel and magazine tube have 35% thinning original blue that's strongest in protected areas. Original sights include standard front sight with German silver blade and original semi-buckhorn rear sight. Very good screws throughout. Excellent markings. Very Good+ wood with 60% original varnish showing handling and rack wear typical of most police-used guns. Wood has never sanded and fits tightly around all metal edges. Strong action with an Excellent bright bore. A scarce and desirable 1873 with IRON-CLAD 19th century law-enforcement provenance! Item# 1211 $5,495 ON HOLD |
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