Make: Winchester
Model: 1873
Serial Number: 101932
Year of Manufacture: 1883
Caliber: .38-40 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with Half-Length Tubular Magazine
Barrel Length: 24", Octagonal
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Beach style folding sight presenting either a blade or a hooded, beaded post with another bead on top of the hood, dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn "V"-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel, the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled and tapped with a folding graduated peep sight installed, adjustable for elevation.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth deluxe walnut with capped forend, straight grip, straight comb and steel shotgun-style buttplate. The stocks have even light handling wear with scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are tiny losses at the heel and toe. The top-left edge of the forend has a notable depression about 2" from the front, showing signs of sanding that has been finished-over. There are a few spots of pooled finish, primarily in the buttstock below the comb on the left. There are no cracks. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 13 1/8" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has worn to white with scattered light oxidation and nicks. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good-plus condition as refinished Antique.
Type of Finish: Blue and Casehardened
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion and pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The barrel has generally strong finish with wear on the exposed portion of the magazine. The receiver has mostly muted with some areas gone to a nickel-like appearance typical of Winchester casehardening of this era, with strong case color on the top tang under the peep sight. The bottom of the lifter has a crystalline appearance typical of aged brass. There is some scattered minor surface oxidation. There are a few light nicks and scratches with some more notable scratching on the left sideplate and the frame behind it. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Fine condition as Antique.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a Cody Firearms Records Office search indicating that this serial number was produced as a Rifle, .38 Caliber, Octagon barrel, plain trigger, fancy stocks, graduated peep and beach sights, 1/2 magazine, shotgun butt and casehardened, received in warehouse and shipped December 3, 1883 on order 9435.
Our Assessment: One of the most successful, and certainly one of the most famous Winchester rifles was the Winchester Model 1873, known as "The Gun that Won the West" for its predominant role in the hands of Western settlers. The Model 1873 had a steel frame that was much stronger than the brass framed Model 1866, allowing Winchester to develop a family of powerful new cartridges, with Colt usually producing Single Action Army revolvers in the same calibers shortly after they were developed. The .44-40 Win. cartridge was one of the most popular cartridges of the era, able to take game as large as deer.
This example is gorgeous, not only retaining much of its original finish, but with no fewer than five documented factory special order features. In addition to its casehardened receiver, the rifle left Winchester with its half-length magazine, fancy walnut stocks, shotgun butt and factory graduated peep and beach sights. This would make a beautiful addition to even an advanced Winchester collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
