In the 1870s, the Winchester Repeating Arms Company launched an advertising campaign to promote its latest product, the now-famed "1 of 1000" series.
The premise of the campaign was that one out of every 1000 of its 1873 and 1876 rifles would be selected and fitted with a highly accurate barrel, have set triggers and would feature a deluxe wood stock.
One of these incredible rifles - an 1873 model - will sell at an upcoming firearms auction to be held in Illinois on September 7-9. It is one of just 133 "1 of 1000" models ever produced by Winchester and one of only seven to have been fitted with a half octagon barrel.
The outstanding rifle, described as "a legend of American rifle making" by renowned firearms expert RL Wilson, has never before been offered to private collectors.
In extremely fine condition and accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Wilson, the magnificent Winchester will sell with a $275,000-450,000 estimate.
Remarkably, the Winchester does not hold the position of top lot in the sale. That title goes to a Colt single action army revolver that once belonged to notorious outlaw Bob Dalton. The weapon is said to have been taken from Dalton's body after he was killed at the famous Coffeyville Raid in 1892.
Accompanied by an "unprecedented" amount of documentation on Bob and his Dalton Gang, the weapon will sell with a $350,000-500,000 estimate and is said to be the finest original documented outlaw Colt single action revolver ever offered at auction.
On September 30, collectors will have the chance to bid on the two Colt revolvers taken from the bodies of Bonnie and Clyde. The same auction will feature an outstanding collection of Al Capone memorabilia.
Looking to invest in militaria? Take some advice from our expert. We also have a stunning selection of military memorabilia currently in stock.
