Posted on 09/09/2016 2:23:07 AM PDT by Swordmaker
Description: Well-Documented, Historic Incredibly Rare, and Desirable Ira Flanders Factory Inscribed 1 of 1,000 Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter, and Winchester Advertisement History Relating to Owner
There were actually only 133 Model 1873 1 of 1,000 rifles manufactured by Winchester, and according to "Winchester's New Model of 1873: A Tribute Vol. 2" by James Gordon only 63 were uncovered for their survey.
This particularly rifle is noted on page 460 in their list of personal inscriptions by serial number and notes "I Flanders:" and "One of a Thousand." The personalized inscription is pictured on page 462. On page 382, the 1 of 1,000 marking is pictured, and the rifle is briefly discussed. It is also pictured and discussed in R. L. Wilson's "Winchester: The Golden Age of American Gunmaking and the Winchester 1 of 1000" on page 64. Based on the factory records surveyed by Gordon and Wilson, this rifle was the 9th 1 of 1,000 built and is one of only nine whose stock is not mentioned in the ledgers. All 1 of 1,000s were based on barrels selected as the best out of each thousand produced and received extra attention in fit and finishing.
The factory letter confirms this rifle shipped on May 10, 1875, with the following features: rifle, 28 inch octagon barrel, set trigger, short magazine, "1 Of 1000," and "I Flanders." One other gun was with it in order number 3114. All of the features mentioned match the current configuration. It has "Ira Flanders" inscribed in script on the left side of the action, an unusually crude "1 of 1000" panel on the barrel at the breech (only example with this marking found), a half magazine, and a single set trigger. The dust cover is the correct early style with a checkered "thumb print" and is fitted to mortised guides in the top of the frame. The stock and forearm are smooth walnut, and the sights consist of standard German silver blade front and adjustable sporting rear sights on the barrel and a long range Vernier peep sight mounted on the upper tang.
The included documents demonstrate that Ira Proctor Flanders (1831-1915) was a Civil War veteran from Plattsburgh, New York. He served in C Company of the 16th Regiment of New York Volunteer Infantry briefly between August and December 1862 before being discharged due to disability relating to health issues commonly caused by dysentery and other ailments prevalent in the Civil War camps.
He is listed as a blacksmith on his death certificate and in Federal Census records for 1870. In "Forest and Stream" Volume 7 from 1876 on page 128 is a Winchester advertisement which includes a target shot off-hand at 400 yards by Flanders in Saranac, New York, near Plattsburgh in July of 1875 with 8 bullseyes and two shots in the second ring in. The target was almost certainly shot with this very rifle given the shipping date on the letter and the renowned accuracy of the 1 of 1,000 rifles.
Included with the lot is an oval sepia-tone portrait of a young man in an early 20th century military uniform with "163" one the shoulders.
The patinated metal surfaces have light pitting overall. The markings and name inscription are crisp, but the 1 of 1,000 mark is somewhat obscure. The revarnished wood is fair and has a hairline crack along the top left of the forearm, a crack in the front of the forearm, various scratches, and some small dents. The action and set trigger function very well.
This is a unique opportunity to get your hands on a very well documented Winchester Model 1873 1 of 1,000 lever action rifle with unique inscription and unusual 1 of 1,000 marking.
On high power rifles like the 1886....curved butts deliver more of a kick than the flat shotgun style. . Did you slug the bore? Perhaps your 38 WCF was really a 44WCF. (Sometimes people interchange the brass lifter which sometimes has the caliber embossed in it.)
It was stamped .38 WCF and not re bored to a larger caliber. I had a 44-40 and the fired cases look completely different. As I had both at that time, I tried to fit a .44 into the .38 and it would not go.
Like I said, I read years later that the .38 was purposely chambered deeper and I figured out it was to split the case at the shoulder.
You can have the whole barrel and chamber relined back to 45-70. Will be stronger than the original. I have a slightly sporterized 1884 (some clown butchered it.) made in 1891. I shoot smokeless powder loads using 300 gr jacketed and 405 and 500 gr lead bullets. Shoots tight groups.
I loaded some BP loads for it. Too messy.
Just one man's opinion.
Ok. I can see that
I have sized, fired 38-40 cases to 44-40. They are basically the same case sized for either .40” bullets for 38-40 and .427” bullets for 44-40.
Lots of brass available today, for both because of Cowboy Action Shooting.
Old brass splits sometimes. I sometimes anneal brass to make it more flexible.
That’s about it.
I thought about it. He wasn't of legal age to sell it; he was under 18. He could have disavowed the contract had I bought it from him. I told him to bring his parents back and we'd talk about it. Never saw him again.
You could have it bored out and a sleeve installed. Probably would shoot ok.
In 1968, when I had the 38WCF, a box of 50 cartridges cost $20.00!
Today, they would be $138.00. The loss of each case was tremendous on my pay at that time!
I worked in a machine shop for several years. I had manual and CNC mills and lathes, sheet metal breaks, tubing benders, and TIG and MIG welders. Best part was the boss was a gun and motorcycle nut also so whatever I wanted to make on my own time was cool with him. Pretty frustrating now to want to make something and not have the tools. I also had a CNC water jet cutter.
B&S makes excellent stuff. I used to do some work on one of their vertical mills in a friends shop. Preferred it to the Bridgeport I used. Good to know that you own your own. I didnt, and when the company moved production to China I lost access to it all.
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