2020 September Premier, Volume I

Historic Special Order Winchester 1876 Deluxe Lever Action Rifle
Identified to Prominent Montana Businessman & Banker Silas S. Huntley
LOT 74
Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle
Attributed to Pioneer Montana Businessman Silas S. Huntley with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 9987, 45-60 cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. The accompanying factory letter lists this
rifle with an octagon barrel in .45-60 caliber, half magazine, shotgun butt,
checkered pistol grip stock, and casehardened receiver when received in the
warehouse on April 9, 1880 and shipped the next day with one other arm.
The rifle is fitted with a combination Beach front sight, “1873” marked folding
ladder rear sight, and tang peep sight. The top barrel flat is stamped with
the two-line address/patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight and “CAL.
45-60” at the breech. “45-60” is marked on the cartridge elevator. The second
model receiver has a dust cover guide rail attached by two screws and a dust
over with oval finger guide. The checkered forearm and pistol grip stock are
nicely figured XX deluxe walnut. The buttstock is fitted with a grip insert and
a steel shotgun buttplate. The left side of the lower tang is marked “XX 876.”
The stock inlet is marked “P160.” Tradition states that this Model 1876 was
owned by Silas S. Huntley. According to a 1992 dated letter of provenance
written by Allen Hargrove, “This rifle was given to my father by Silas S. Huntley
who came to Montana in the 1870s from Boston…My dad went to work for
him in the early 1880s and worked for him until he died in 1901. it was during
this time he gave my dad this rifle.” Silas S. Huntley (1841-1901) enlisted with
the 37th New York Volunteers during the Civil War. He served on the staffs of
General Hiram Gregory Berry and General Phil Kearny, and was with each of
these generals when they were killed in the line of duty. He returned to New
York after the war but by 1867 was in Montana establishing the stage
lines in the territory. In fact, Huntley and his associates were credited
for “establishing and controlling every original stage line in Montana.” In
1891, he organized the Yellowstone Park Transportation Company where
he remained as president and general manager until his death
in 1901. The Yellowstone Park Transportation Company first
provided railroad and stagecoach service to park visitors, and
later provided automobile transport and service for those
attending the park. Includes an original 1870 canceled check
in Huntley’s name and 1897 handwritten note on Yellowstone
National Park Transportation Co. letterhead.
CONDITION: Very good plus. The barrel retains 30% original blue
finish with the balance a smooth gray patina. Traces of original
niter blue remain on the loading gate. The remaining surfaces
retain patterns of original case colors, otherwise silvered out.
The wood is very good with a hairline stress crack at the upper
tang, some minor dings and scratches and some wear to the
checkering. Mechanically excellent. A Model 1876 that surely saw
use on the open ranges of the Montana Territory and is linked to
a high profile Montana businessman.
Estimate: 7500 - 12000
The John Fox Collection
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