Submitted by aarAdmin on Thu, 04/17/2014 - 00:00
An extremely rare Winchester Model 1876 “One of One Thousand” will be the highlight of Australian Arms Auctions Saturday May 3 and Sunday May 4 auction respectively from 6pm and 10am at Eley Park Community Centre, 87 Eley Road, Blackburn South.
One of only 54 “One of One Thousand” ever made and expected to sell for more than $375,000, the repeating rifle belonged to iconic collector the late Robert Stagg of Wangaratta – who had more than 1000 registered antique firearms in his possession when he died.
The Winchester 1876 – the first to be chambered for full-powered centre fire rifle cartridges – was introduced to celebrate the American Centennial and earned a reputation as a durable and powerful hunting rifle.
According to Australian Arms Auctions Rob Lansell, the rifle is the most valuable item ever sold by the company and, along with several other Winchesters, has already attracted strong international interest.
Other items to feature from the Robert Stagg collection include an engraved Henry rifle and examples of 1873, 1886, 1892 and 1894 Winchesters.
Another important collection to be auctioned is that of father and son the late Cliff and Garry Reynolds, who were both based in Orange, New South Wales.
Among their 309 lots will be American Civil War and Western-style firearms, revolvers and transitional self-loading pistols (including a rare Colt Patterson revolver) and British-made military and colonial items.
Viewing noon-5pm Saturday May 3 and 8am-10am Sunday May 4. Contact 0428543377.
