blake
Life Member
NEWS:
Rare Winchester Rifle Brings $93K at Auction
5/26/2009
A May auction in Lewistown, Montana, brought in $93,000 for a prized Winchester rifle, a Model 1873 One of One Thousand.
The rifle was made in 1877 and remained in 75 percent original condition. It was sold to a Seattle, Washington, collector by Walt and Pat Woodland.
"It was very exciting and truly a privilege to sell a historic firearm of this quality and value," said Jayson Shobe of United Country—Shobe Auction & Realty of Lewistown. "It was definitely a highlight in my auction career."
The auction was attended by 370 buyers from across the nation, including those who bid via the Internet.
As per its name, Winchester had originally planned to make 1,000 of the rifles, but historic records show that the rifle that sold May 9 was one of only 133 completed by the company. Back in 1877 the guns sold for $100—substantially higher than other models of the time.
