1892 Winchester 1873 .32 WCF - Engraved For and Presented to Fred J. Dodge

Winchester 1873 in .32 WCF. Serial number dates this rifle to being sold by Winchester some time in 1892. Subsequently, this rifle was custom engraved in order for it to be presented to Fred J, Dodge of Wells Fargo, notable for his close personal friendship with Wyatt Earp while he worked undercover for Wells Fargo in Tombstone and his ownership of the shotgun Wyatt Earp used on his infamous Vendetta Ride. In addition to his relationship with Wyatt, Dodge's personal journals were used as the main source for Wyatt Earp's biography and Dodge has a rich history himself as the primary driver behind the end of the Dalton and Doolin gangs, While there is no documentation as to this rifle's ownership by Earp, is is very likely this rifle was owned by Earp before its engraving and presentation in 1905 to Dodge, presumably for his 50th birthday.

Condition is good to very good. Engravings appear to be all custom work with no factory Winchester and are very strong and show no rust in the grooves. Metal finish across the rifle shows a mostly uniform patina, with some thin areas at muzzle and along the magazine tube. Lever and buttplate show the most serious wear with generally patchy finish. Brass breechblock is still bright. Wood shows a few dings but no gouges or scratches and color remains consistent across entire wood surface. All mechanical functions work properly and dust cover slides aross the integral rail smoothly. Bore is strong.