ORIGINAL WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 ANNOUNCEMENT

ADVERTISING THE 1 OF 1000 & 1 OF 100 RIFLES. Rare surviving 4 page catalog titled "WINCHESTER REPEATING FIREARMS / MODEL of 1873". The text discuss the principle of identical looking rifle bbls. having different degrees of accuracy. By test firing every bbl., Winchester is able to select the most accurate out of every 100, then the most accurate out of every 100 of those are selected for the "One of One Thousand" Grade rifles. These special rifles offered superior accuracy w/ the finest of workmanship & options available to the sportsman of the day. Prices listed for the One of One Thousand were $80. to $100. First page details Winchester's succession of the New Haven Arms Company & history of rifle production from the Henry to the "New model of 1873". Following paragraphs detail improvements to the Model 1873. The second page describes the improvements as they apply to military arms & announces the intent of Winchester to manufacture a greater variety of arms. Top of page 3 is a price list for rifles & cartridges starting w/ the listing "Sporting Rifle, Octagon Barrel, 24 Inch, 8 3/4 lbs., 14 shots, with set trigger, $50.00". The remainder of the page discusses use of the new centerfire cartridges & sight options. Page 4 consists of 2 testimonials. One from Mr. William P Lett, City Clerk of the City of Ottawa, Canada dated Dec. 9, 1873. Mr. Lett acquired S# 24 & lavishes his praise upon the beauty, strength, power & rapidity of the magnificent new rifle. The second testimonial is by Mr. S. W. Hutton of Franklin City, Venago Co, Pennsylvania dated Dec. 20, 1873. Mr. Hutton acquired S# 6 & has expressed his satisfaction w/ the accuracy of the "splendid rifles". This testimonial includes reproductions of impressive 3 shot 100 yard & 5 shot 130 yard groups. Page sizes are 8 1/8" x 10 1/8" held between double sided beige colored matting & glass in a 21" x 14 3/4" frame w/ black & burl wood finish. CONDITION: pages show fold tearing across the middle w/ taped center attaching the 2 pages & exhibit slight yellowing. Top of last page has a blue toned ink stain. Frame shows edge wear & handling marks. PROVENANCE: Vicente Sepulveda Collection. (02-14884/DS). $3,000-5,000.