4314 EVANS No. 101 OLD MODEL LEVER ACTION SPORTING

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,250.00 USD
Estimated at 2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
RIFLE. Cal. 44 CF. S# 101. Bbl. is 28" sporting octagon configuration; also offered in 26" and 30". Manufactured 1873 as first of the old models that were numbered 1 to about 500 of which only 300 were sporting rifles. Total production was about 12,200 that ended in 1879. Lever is earliest (nickel plated) type without tab to secure end of lever; references state tabs were added about S# 100. Wood buttstock on just the top section of the magazine tube is numbered 136 as is the nickel plated buttplate. Forend, barrel (at rear on lower left flat) and frame (both sides at front under curved section) numbered 101 plus flat area at lower front left of frame numbered "101L"; added "L" likely an inspector or assembler code plus numbers were batch numbers rather than true "serial numbers". Barrel marked "EVANS REPEATING RIFLE" over "PAT. DEC. 8, 1868 & SEPT. 16, 1871" which is the earliest style of markings. Rear sight is first style with nice Nitre blued finish on base (marked 2-6 plus 6-12 on vertical bar) and simple dovetailed post at front. Slim forend with minimal area; later examples had checkered forends of more substance plus buttstock wood covered top and bottom of magazine tube. Blue finish with nickel trim that was often done by Evans; no premium for the nickel is noted. Correctly without cover on right side port. Old Model cartridges were 1" long with 34 rd. capacity; New Models were 1 1/2" long and 28 rds. CONDITION: especially fine example that is smooth operating without looseness. Nickel plating is very good to excellent except for buttplate with patina, finish loss and light marks. Fair to good forend with handling marks, crack on right bottom from about rear attachment screw to frame, appearance of added finish and finish loss. Buttstock is similar to forend in condition with chips at top rear around widows peak area of buttplate likely from improper sequence of disassembly. Original blued finishes with light scratches and marks along with occasional light peppery oxidation. Bore is near excellent and amazing with like new appearance being bright and shiny. (01-25403/NW). ANTIQUE. $2,500-3,500.