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Buffalo Bill Deluxe Winchester 1873 Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:9,000.00 USD Estimated At:18,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
Buffalo Bill Deluxe Winchester 1873 Rifle
We are excited to announce that we have moved the event to Cheyenne, Wyoming this year, and that we have a great selection of Western Collectables that includes the collection of Roger Wilmot.
A phenominal piece of Wild West Show history, this Winchester 1873 deluxe rifle belonged to the well known sharp shooter that was a decorated US Cavalry soldier and then later toured with Buffalo Bills Wild West Show. W.H. Tucker's photograph is found at the lower left of the 1885 show poster where he is known as "Ogallala Tucker". As the rifle is presentation engraved "W.H. Tucker North Platte, Neb.", which is where Tucker lived, and Ogallala is a nearby town. The rifle comes with documents of Tucker's life and also information of how the rifle has been passed along, which includes a 1972 Winchester Museum build sheet that states its history back to 1934 and that it was currently in the collection of DW Roberts. It is notated with statistics on the build sheet just how rare this rifle is, being 1 of 700 engraved, 1 of 600 plated, and 1 of 260 with a name. It is also an oddity in the way that this rifle may be one of the very first 32 calibers, as serial #138,000 is barely inside the 3rd model range and there were only 44-40 calibers available in second model, making it even more special. W.H. Tucker is extensively talked about in the well known book "Buffalo Bill: His Family, Friends, Fame, Failures, and Fortunes", by Nellie Yost, where she notes that he was the owner of the most prominant saloon in town, and other great details, as Buffalo Bill also had a magnificent ranch in North Platte. Also accompanied by a 2003 Winchester letter where it is documented in the Cody Museum records as being ordered with a $2.50 factory engraved reciever with engraved name on sideplate, nickel finish and gilt (gold) trim, chambered in 32 caliber, octagon barrel, set trigger and checkered fancy stock with pistol grip. The rifle shows wonderful honest condition with much of its original nickel and beautiful engraving.