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Documented Ultra Rare, Deluxe, Special Order, Factory Engraved, Gold Inlaid, and Silver Plated Winchester Model 1873 Rifle with Seven-Leaf Express Sight, Matte Barrel, and Factory Letter This special order Winchester Model 1873 rifle was manufactured in 1882 with an extremely rare factory "Seven Leaf Express" rear sight. Examples of this sight are pictured and described on pages 316-317 of "Winchester New Model of 1873 Volume I" by James D. Gordon. James Gordon describes the sight as: "The rarest and most interesting rear sight found on Model 1873s". He identifies only ten rifles by serial number known to have been fitted with this special sight. Gordon further states that the majority of the rifles with seven-leaf express sights have special order features such as engraving, plating or deluxe wood and two of the known rifles have "rare matted barrels". He notes that most of the seven-leaf Model 1873s were recovered from Africa. In addition to the seven-leaf express sight, this rifle has a 26-inch octagon barrel with special order matted top flat, single set trigger, factory engraving on the forearm cap, dust cover, receiver and buttplate, silver-plated finish and deluxe, fancy grain, checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with ebony insert. The left side of the receiver is factory inscribed with the gold-filled inscription: "A.I.N. DURAAN/HOOP STAD" in a circle on the left side plate. The right side plate is engraved with a hound's head surrounded by scrollwork on a punch-dot background. The engraving was almost certainly executed by Master Engraver John Ulrich and is similar to his work illustrated in "The Book of Winchester Engraving" by R.L. Wilson. The rifle is accompanied by a factory letter that lists all the rifle's features including the "name engraved, etc.." and states this rifle was shipped from the Winchester warehouse on December 27, 1882. Research identifies "Hoopstad" as a town in South Africa located in what was once the Boer Orange Free State. Considerable fighting between the British and Boers took place in and around Hoopstad during the Boer War (1899-1902). "Duraan" is a common Afrikaner name and that Albertus Duraan (b. Orange Free State circa 1848) is very possibly the "A.I.N. DURAAN" who was the recipient of this rifle. In addition to the special features, the top of the matted barrel flat is roll-stamped with the Winchester two-line legend with King's Improvement patent dates. The upper receiver tang is roll-stamped "- MODEL. 1873.-" in fancy letters with foliate designs at either end. The serial number is stamped in script across the lower tang behind the lever latch. The left side of the barrel is stamped "F157U" just ahead of the forearm cap. In addition to the silver-plated forearm cap, dust cover, receiver and crescent buttplate, the rifle has a blued barrel, magazine and loading gate, and casehardened hammer, lever and trigger. Manufacturer: Winchester Model: 1873 BBL: 26 inch octagon Stock: checkered fancy walnut pistol grip Gauge: 44 WCF Finish: blue/silver plated/gold inlaid Serial Number104936 Class: Antique