Make: Winchester Repeating Arms

Model: 1873, 3rd Model

Serial Number: 512139B

Year of Manufacture: 1897

Caliber: .32-20 Winchester Center Fire (WCF)

Action Type: Lever Action Rifle with Full-Length Tubular Magazine

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked "WINCHESTER'S REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A. / -KING'S IMPROVEMENT PATENTED MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860.-" and at the receiver with "32 W.C.F.". The bottom tang is marked "512139B". The top tang is marked "MODEL. 1873.". The bottom of the lifter is marked "32 CAL.". 

Barrel Length: 24” Octagonal

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a German silver blade in a slotted base dovetailed and screw-set to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "V"-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel; the notch is fine-adjustable for elevation. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present). 

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a capped forend, straight grip, straight comb, and steel crescent buttplate. The stocks have several scattered nicks, dings, scuffs, and scratches. There is some weathering at the toe and a more notable ding on the right of the forend at the top edge. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has worn to white with scattered oxidation and erosion. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good Condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered erosion and light pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 6 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 25% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is fairly evenly scattered wear, light oxidation, and minor erosion. Worn areas have mostly gone to a light to moderate patina. The strongest finish is in protected areas and around raised features. There are scattered nicks, scuffs, and scratches. There are tool marks around the sideplate and lever screws and at the rear of each sideplate. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Good Condition as Antique (see Mechanics).

Mechanics: The bolt does not push the hammer back far enough to catch the sear at full-cock. The magazine spring is a little weak, and the follower sticks a little in the magazine tube. The spring for the lever safety is missing or broken; it will fall into place from gravity, but has no spring tension. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. There is a lever lock on the lower tang, and a dust cover on the receiver that slides on an integral rail, typical of the Third Models. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The famous Winchester Model 1873 lever action repeating rifle had its beginnings in the Volcanic Firearms Company and the later designs by Benjamin Tyler Henry. The Model 1873 boasted a steel frame that was much stronger than the brass framed Model 1866, allowing Winchester to move away from .44 rimfire and develop the powerful new .44-40 WCF round (Winchester’s first metallic centerfire cartridge), as well as a family of other new potent rounds, with Colt usually producing Single Action Army revolvers in the same calibers shortly after they were developed. The Model 1873 has an almost mythical status among firearms collectors, Old West enthusiasts, and fans of the Western film genre, even inspiring the 1950 movie "Winchester '73" starring Jimmy Stewart. It will forever be known as the “The Gun that Won the West” for its predominant role in the hands of Western settlers.

This Antique Winchester Model 1873 Rifle was made in 1897 and is in Good Condition. It features a 24” octagonal barrel, 25% of its original blued finish, rugged two-piece smooth walnut stocks, and a gray bore with well defined rifling, scattered erosion, and light pitting. In regards to mechanics, the bolt does not push the hammer far enough back to engage full-cock, the magazine follower is a little sticky with a weak spring, and the lever safety spring is missing or broken. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. It’s chambered in .32-20 WCF. A departure from the earlier centerfire cartridges, .32-20 WCF was notably smaller, using less lead and therefore destroying less meat, a valuable quality indeed when hunting for sustenance. The rifle shows wear consistent with its age, and has a few mechanical hiccups that should be fairly easy to address. This Model 1873 was certainly “rode hard and put away wet”, and with its “been there, done that” appearance, it would make an honest addition to an Old West or Winchester collection.