2020 September Premier, Volume I

The John Fox Collection
114
LOT 97
Historic Winchester Model 1886 Lever
Action .45-90 WCF Rifle Owned by
Millionaire Montana Banker Henry
Elling and Factory Letter - Serial no.
23274, 45-90 WCF cal., 26 inch octagon bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured in 1888. The accompanying
factory letter lists this rifle with an octagon
barrel in .45-90 caliber and plain trigger when
received in the warehouse on September
17, 1888 and shipped on November 2, 1888.
The rifle is fitted with a W.F. Sheard blade
front sight, an elevation adjustable rear
sight, and a folding tang peep sight. The
top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line
address/patent dates marking ahead of the
rear sight and “45-90 WCF” at the breech.
The straight grip stock is fitted with a solid
crescent buttplate. This rifle belonged to
successful Montana banker Henry Elling.
An accompanying handwritten letter of
provenance by George A. Smith of Hamilton,
Montana, states he obtained “this gun from
descendants of Henry Elling.” Henry Elling
(1842-1900) was born in Prussia, and he,
along with a younger brother, came to the
United States in 1857, settling in Missouri
with an older brother after the death of both
parents. His first business venture in Montana
was a small general goods store in Virginia
City in 1864. In 1873, he opened a banking
house. This started a prosperous life long
career in Montana banking. He assisted in
the organization of several banks, became
the president of six banks, and was elected
as the director of the State National Bank
of Miles City. By all accounts his banking
enterprises were very fruitful, earning him the
respect from both the community and fellow
bankers. He also had interests in ranching,
mines, mills and the Gallatin Light, Power
and Railway Company that held the street
railway and electric lighting franchisees
of the city of Bozeman. Through hard
work and perseverance Elling became
a versatile frontier entrepreneur highly
respected in the financial and business
world of Montana. His efforts showered
him with tremendous wealth, eventually
becoming the richest man in the county.
“When he came to Montana he did not
have dollar, and he died several times
a millionaire,” reported a local period
newspaper at the time of his death.
Several accompanying original documents
related to Elling’s business enterprises
include an 1872 dated Henry Elling retailer
dealer receipt, four receipts from the retailer
Elling, Knight & Buford circa 1895, two
financial records on Henry Elling, Banker
letterhead and signed by Elling, a canceled
Henry Elling, Banker check, three financial
statements on Banking House of Henry Elling
letterhead, three financial statements on
Elling State Bank letterhead, and canceled
Banking House of Henry Elling check
signed by Elling.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining
40% original blue finish with the balance
a smooth brown patina. Traces of original
niter blue remain on the loading gate.
The remaining surfaces retain patterns of
original case colors. The wood is very good
with a couple hairline stress cracks at the
upper tang, shallow pressure mark on the
right side of the forearm and minor dings
and scratches. Mechanically excellent. A
Model 1886 linked to millionaire Montana
banker showing true frontier use and care.
Provenance: The John Fox Collection
Estimate: 5000 - 8000
Henry Elling